Blog Post: Probate Tips for Getting Through the Process Faster and With Less Hassle

Probate lawyers are well aware of the hassles and headaches that families face when a loved one’s estate goes into probate.  The process can drag out, eating up not just time but also resources that would have otherwise gone to beneficiaries.  Appointed executors find themselves with burdensome responsibilities that can compound their grief.

Ideally, the best scenario is to avoid probate, but if your loved one has passed away and you are now stuck going through the process, here are 5 tips to help you quickly and easily get through the probate court:

Probate Tip #1:  Hire an Experienced Probate Attorney

It may be tempting to navigate probate alone, but a good probate lawyer will be able to make the entire process more efficient.  The attorney’s expertise will guide you steadily in the right direction and keep you on track for closing probate as quickly as possible.

Probate Tip #2:  Notify Creditors Quickly

Part of the probate process is making creditors aware of the death of your loved one.  As long as the probate is open, creditors can come looking for payment, which can significantly slow down the process.  Instead, it is better to get everything lined up as quickly as possible in order to move on to the next phase.

Probate Tip #3:  Get an Appraised Inventory

As the executor works with the estate, he or she should be creating an inventory of its assets and getting appraisals when appropriate, on things like personal effects, real estate, etc.  The courts may need to be involved with the process, so again, it’s a good idea to be working closely with an attorney at this time.

Probate Tip #4:  Don’t Miss Deadlines

There are specific deadlines set for when documents need to be filed.  Missing these deadlines will lead to the need for more court appearances (i.e. time, hassle and more money), as well as keeping probate open—and the estate vulnerable—for that much longer.

Probate Tip #5:  Keep Accurate Records

The creditor claim period can vary from state to state, which another excellent reason to work with a local probate lawyer.  Once this period has ended, the executor will file the final report and accounting.  Having these numbers ready to go and double checking them for accuracy helps get the estate closed faster.

There’s no doubt that seeing an estate through probate can create stress and potential confusion.  A good probate lawyer will minimize this stress, and utilizing these simple probate tips can get the estate and all those connected to it through the process that much faster. 

Steve Greenwood, Esq.