Help For Settling An Estate
Many people do not think about probate law until they are suddenly forced to do so after the death of a loved one. It can be a difficult and stressful experience. At a time when people are still grieving over their loss, the probate and trust administration process begins. If you have been named as the personal representative or trustee, you may be unsure about what needs to happen next. Suddenly, you have to learn about the many legal and financial requirements that go into settling an estate.
At Mortel Law, PLLC, we have in-depth knowledge of this important area of law and are able to take the legal burden off your shoulders. We help personal representatives and trustees manage this process, preserve assets and honor the wishes of their loved ones.
Understanding Probate And Estate Administration
When a person passes away, all of his or her property becomes known as the person’s estate. The process of settling the estate, paying off any remaining debts and distributing the property to the heirs is known as estate administration.
Probate is the court process for the transfer of assets from a deceased person to his or her heirs or other designated beneficiaries. If the deceased person left a will, the will is submitted to the probate court for administration. If there is no will, the assets will be distributed according to state law. As part of the probate process, the court appoints a personal representative who is responsible for the administration of the estate. Estate administration requires painstaking, detail-oriented work even under the best circumstances. We can assist the personal representative in making the process as smooth as possible.
Experienced In Probate And Estate Law
Our attorney has been helping clients in probate and estate administration for more than 20 years. We prepare the necessary paperwork, get it filed with the probate court, handle publishing and service of required notices and give personal representatives an outline of what needs to be done.
We know many of our clients are still grieving so we treat them with understanding and compassion as we give them guidance through what can be a difficult process.
Navigate Trust Administration With Confidence
After a decedent passes away, their appointed trustee will suddenly have new and potentially confusing legal responsibilities on their shoulders. In many cases, the trustee of a trust must carry out this work at the same time that they are grieving for a lost loved one. If you have been appointed as the trustee of a trust, we can help you understand your responsibilities and carry them out with as little stress as possible.
In essence, trust administration refers to the work of overseeing and distributing the assets contained in a trust to the appropriate beneficiaries, as laid out in the trust agreement created by the decedent. This process may include such tasks as:
- Collecting and taking inventory of the trust assets
- Filing income and estate taxes
- Paying any other remaining debts of the decedent
- Distributing trust assets to the designated beneficiaries
Whatever trust administration questions you are facing, we can help you find the answers and fulfill all of your responsibilities as a trustee.
Contact Us
Probate and estate administration take time. Get started by calling our office today at 651-968-0815. You can also contact us by email.
