Probate
Start to Finish Probate With or Without a Will
Save More Inheritance for the Heirs & Beneficiaries...
Probate Yourself with Our Professional Document Assistance
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Probate General Administration Package
Starting at $4000
Our most popular package! Includes the complete probate filings with the court, your appointment as administrator (personal representative/executor/executrix), bond, legal notices and newspaper publication, order to probate, communications with the Judge, and final filings to distribute inheritance to heirs and beneficiaries.
For $300,000 Estate gross value.
Emergency Probate Package
Starting at $2000
Our 2nd most popular package! Includes the special administrator appointment, legal notices and newspaper publication, and final filings to protect estate assets.
Rush service included at no extra cost.
Probate Summary Administration
Includes Court Documents Only ($100,001-$300,000 Estate value)
Starting at $850
Probate Set Aside
Includes Court Documents Only ($25,001-$100,000 Estate value)
Starting at $650
Probate Small Estate
Includes Court Documents Only ($25,000 or less Estate value)
Starting at $350
Key Benefits
Get top quality probate document service for much less fees.
Save time by hiring an experienced professional to write your probate documents.
We file your documents for you and provide runner service so that you can focus on the estate.
Save money for the heirs and beneficiaries by hiring a document preparer.
FAQ
Common Questions About Probate
Your probate documents are prepared and filed for you as a professional document preparation service. Documents for each phase of probate are also available individually.
Here’s what is included in your Complete DIY Probate Package:
- Probate Court Filings
- Appointment of Administrator (also called Personal Representative)
- Bond
- Legal Notices
- Newspaper Publication
- Probate Orders
- Communications to the Judge
- Inventory and Appraisal Forms Preparation
- Distribution and Estate Closing
Probate is the legal process of validating a deceased person’s will and distributing their assets according to that will. It’s necessary to ensure that debts and taxes are paid and that assets are distributed legally to the rightful heirs. If there’s no will, probate determines the distribution according to state laws.
The probate process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate, the state’s probate laws, and whether any disputes arise among the heirs.
Q: Are there ways to bypass the probate process? A: Yes, probate can be avoided by using estate planning tools such as living trusts, joint ownership of property, and naming beneficiaries directly on accounts like life insurance and retirement accounts. These methods allow assets to pass directly to beneficiaries without going through probate.
Q: What occurs if a will is challenged in probate court? A: If a will is contested, the probate process can be delayed significantly. The court will investigate the validity of the will, considering claims such as undue influence, fraud, or the testator’s lack of capacity. Legal disputes can prolong the process and increase costs.
Q: How much does probate typically cost? A: Probate costs can vary but generally include court fees, attorney fees, executor fees, and possibly appraisal fees. The total cost can be a percentage of the estate’s value, potentially reducing the amount passed on to heirs.
When the heirs of an estate disagree with the will it is called a “will contest”. This is a common problem with estates that have not been set up properly. A will contest requires you and the heirs to file with the court to prove that the will is invalid for whatever reason.
We are experienced in preventing all issues like this from happening to begin with by using the correct wording and documentation to make your estate bulletproof. In fact, many of our clients have us set up their estate so that any heir who tries to contest it loses their inheritance.
Yes, in general the administrator has to file a bond, but not always. A bond is like an insurance policy to protect the estate in case you breach a fiduciary duty while administering the estate during probate.
The administrator will not generally have to file a bond if the will or trust waives the requirement of a bond, all the heirs in writing waive the bond, or the administrator is a corporate fiduciary such as a trust company or bank.As the administrator of the estate, you are generally required to pay all legitimate debts before the heirs and beneficiaries can receive their inheritance. Creditors are required by law to submit their claim in one of two ways:
- Formally – by filing a claim with the court and serving you with a copy by mail. This must be done within a certain time after you have published the probate notices in the newspaper or directly. Formal claims must be disputed in court or paid with the court’s approval. Otherwise, the estate cannot be closed out until the formal debts are paid.
- Informally – by sending a bill or invoice to the last known address of the person who died. Informal claims can be paid at your discretion whenever you think it is appropriate to pay. No court approval is required, and you do not need to file anything in court to dispute the debt.
An inheritance can finally be distributed generally any time after all debts and taxes are paid, and there are no lingering problems to be dealt with in court. When the final distribution is made the probate case is closed.
