Three Reasons To Hire A Probate Attorney

When dealing with the loss of a loved one, you may face some complicated financial issues with his or her estate. A probate attorney can help you to resolve a variety of issues to ensure that your loved one's wishes are carried out and all financial obligations are met. Here are just a few instances where you may want to consider hiring a probate attorney.

Feuding Family

A death in the family doesn't always mean that your relatives will come together to mourn. Hurt feelings over not being included in the will, or being upset that not everything was divided in the way that was expected can result in lawsuits being filed against the estate. When the estate has to defend itself in court, the result can be a costly legal battle. A probate attorney can help to keep the estate out of court, which can help to save money and mend fences in the long run.

Complicated Businesses

Estates can be extremely simple or very complicated. Your loved one may have owned a house, a few cars, and a few bank accounts, which can make settling the estate somewhat easy. However, if your relative owned multiple businesses or commercial real estate, you may find that it will be more difficult to determine how much is actually in the estate. Your probate attorney can help you with this, and he or she can also determine how much debt the estate has, both personal and business, so the appropriate payments can be made before dividing the remaining assets as directed in the will.

Lack Of Will

Not everyone has a final will and testament, and that can mean a great deal of confusion and frustration when it comes to dividing up the estate. A probate attorney can help you to determine how things should be divided, right down to the last light bulb in your loved one's home. With someone advocating on behalf of the estate, you can feel confident that your loved one's legacy is being treated fairly and with respect. Even if your family seems to agree on how everything should be split up, consider hiring a probate attorney anyway. This will help to make sure that all assets are distributed as agreed upon.

Hiring a probate attorney can be beneficial for your family in many ways. If your loved one didn't have a will or had complicated financial dealings, or if your family doesn't agree with the final wishes listed in the will, consider contacting a probate attorney firm, such as Moore, O'Connell & Refling PC.

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