Does an Executor Need to Hire a Probate Attorney?

When a person creates their will, they typically choose who they want the executor to be. However, it is the court who actually appoints the person and gives them the authority to handle the estate. After they are officially appointed by the court, it is just the beginning of their legal responsibilities. If an executor doesn’t handle the estate appropriately, it can greatly reduce the value of the estate. Ultimately, they can lose assets. If there are problems that come up during the process, an executor can be removed and held liable for irresponsible actions. A Brooklyn probate attorney can help you as the executor honor your deceased loved one and protect their assets. In the long run, they can help protect your interests too.

When an executor of an estate turns to a Brooklyn probate attorney for help probating an estate of a deceased loved one, they get a lot of help. There are a lot of different ways they can offer help and make the job of the executor easier and smoother. The first thing they can do is explain to the executor their obligations, and the ramifications if they do not fulfil them. This can help a lot when trying to manage someone else’s assets and having to deal with family members who are watching to make sure it’s done right.

A probate attorney in Brooklyn can also help you find the types of experts needed to help with things like valuation of the estate and properties. This is especially helpful if the estate owns a business. There is a lot to manage and many decisions to be made about how the business is to be handled.

During the probate process there are tons of forms and documents that need to be filled out and filed. A knowledgeable Brooklyn probate lawyer can assist with these tasks. If any of the paperwork is left undone, or not filled out correctly, it can be rejected by the courts causing greater delays in settling the account. Having a lawyer on board, though, ensures these are all done correctly and filed within the proper time frames. They can also help with the filing of all relevant tax forms, so you remain in compliance with state and federal guidelines.

A probate attorney will stand with you and provide representation for you in all the probate court proceedings. They’ll also help you defend the validity of the will if it is in question. They’ll also help you provide all the required notices to all interested parties including creditors who may want to make a claim if the estate owes an outstanding debt.

These are just a few of the most prominent tasks a Brooklyn probate lawyer can help an executor with. They can be most beneficial throughout the probate proceedings by helping the heirs and the executor both with representation. Overall, there are a lot of advantages to having a probate professional on your side when facing the tedious tasks and court proceedings.

If your loved one recently passed away and you were named the executor for their estate, you will want to be represented by an experienced probate attorney. When you hire a Brooklyn probate lawyer, you’ll get personalized advice for how to handle your loved one’s estate. Call us today for more information on the probate processes and how an attorney can help you work through the details.