Appointment of Executor

One of the main benefits of hiring an estate lawyer is that they can help you appoint a competent executor. Since you may want to be the executor of a loved one's will, the probate court can grant you permission to do that. In cases where there was no will, an estate lawyer can be made an administrator over the property.

The Probate Hearing

The estate lawyer can help protect your interests during a hearing with all the interested parties. You may need to provide a list of all beneficiaries according to the will and legal heirs. Notices are also sent to creditors through a legal notice in the local newspapers. Without the help of an estate lawyer, these processes can be long and tiring. An estate lawyer can help with these processes and save you a lot of worry and costs.

Validating the Will

One of the most difficult things to do in a probate court is to prove the validity of the will. For this to happen, one has to provide a notarized statement signed by witnesses when the will was made, a sworn statement signed by that witness after the demise of the property owner, and a court testimony from a witness. It is important to have an estate attorney ensure that all three are present before the hearing at the probate court.

Smooth Transition

While the probate hearing is continuing, which may take up to six months, the firm or estate should not collapse. With the help of a probate lawyer, you can open an account in the name of the firm and continue to pay the bills. This helps the continuity of the firm as you await the hearing and determination of the probate case.

Hiring an estate lawyer can help a family navigate the tough times of transition after losing a loved one. Contact Wood & Gresham for assistance today.