When you pass away, the last thing you want to do is create a messy probate situation for your heirs and beneficiaries.
Probate is the court-supervised process of sorting and administering a person’s will. Probate is the court proceeding where a judge validates a will, gives it legal approval, and designates the named executor with authority to administer a decedent’s estate.
Until probate takes place, an executor does not have any legal authority, and estate assets cannot be legally transferred.
While this process sounds simple, the probate process can take a lot of time and money, especially if the will is contested.
Simplifying the Probate Process
The experienced attorneys at the Voeller Law Firm can streamline the probate process to help you efficiently settle your loved one’s estate.
“It is essential to work with an experienced attorney in order to get through the probate process as smoothly as possible ,” said James Voeller, an experienced attorney who has been practicing for over 35 years. “Our goal is to provide the most accurate advice so our clients can be well informed and properly prepared. Our law firm can even suggest ways to avoid the probate process altogether.”
Avoiding Probate
The most common way to avoid probate is to set up a revocable trust for lifetime management of ones assets. Another method of probate avoidance is to use joint-ownership of assets with the people whom you want to inherit your property.
One obvious, but often overlooked way to avoid probate is to simply give your property away before your death. But even this requires planning and forethought under the guidance of legal counsel.
However, it’s important to note that a person can only gift another individual a specific amount before it’s subject to gift taxes.
We’re Here to Help
The qualified estate planning attorneys at the Voeller Law Firm will help you develop estate planning strategies that can skip the probate process, save expenses, minimize hours of administration, and eliminate potential family conflicts down the road.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 210-985-2741 and get started putting your estate planning strategies in place.