Executor Of An Estate? Two Signs That You'll Need A Probate Attorney
If you've been listed as the executor of a deceased person's estate, you have quite a job in front of you. Depending on the size of the estate, you could be up for a task that requires quite a bit of time to fulfill. Although the role may seem daunting, a probate attorney can be of tremendous assistance to you. Use this information to learn more about the signs which point to the need for a probate attorney.
Someone Is Contesting The Will
The first sign that you need a probate attorney is when one or more individuals contests the will. When this happens, it's absolutely vital for you to hire a probate attorney, for a number of different reasons.
If someone contests the will, you could end up with a case that stretches on for several years. In the meantime, the beneficiaries of the estate are not able to collect what was due to them, and this could be detrimental, especially if the deceased was the sole provider or caregiver for the people that are named beneficiaries. Some of the individuals could even arrive at financial ruin as the case drags on because court costs and legal fees can add up to be astronomical.
That's why it's so important for you to get a lawyer on your side when this happens. They may be able to negotiate a settlement with the person contesting the will, or help locate proof that the people listed in the will are the only ones who should benefit from it.
A Probate Attorney Can Help You Track Down Assets
Another sign that you'll need a probate attorney is when you're having a hard time locating assets. There may be items listed as assets in the will that you can't seem to track down. A lawyer will help you with this.
For example, there may be a sum of money that should go to a particular beneficiary that doesn't state exactly where the money is located. It could be in a foreign or domestic bank account that you just can't seem to locate. Probate attorneys work with investigations teams that utilize skip tracing techniques that can be the key to finding missing assets.
Working with a probate attorney could prove to be one of the best decisions you've ever made. If either of these signs pops up, get in touch with a probate attorney without delay.
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