Probate is the process whereby one’s estate gets shared among the beneficiaries before one dies. It is regarded as a court process since it involves legal terminology. The will needs to be proved to determine the inheritors before distributing the property. The probate process can turn out to be hectic without a lawyer. A probate lawyer will help the executors carry out the entire process successfully. This is because the executors will have to beat deadlines, keep records, arrange files, and even keep records and this can be tiresome and time-consuming. The lawyer is in a better position to make the procedure smoother, and faster and even avoid any form of delay. There are innumerable law firms which one can get probate lawyers from. For instance, the tampa probate lawyer.
Hereby are some of the roles of a probate lawyer.
- Drafting a will. The lawyers are professional enough to help you draft a will. There are a few consequences that may arise if one drafts the will by themselves. This will in turn cause conflicts among the heirs at the later date. Having the lawyer draft the will make it easier to communicate your wishes regarding the inheritance of the estates.
- Speed up probate. The probate process can turn out to be slow if the details of the will are not clear. A probate lawyer can easily assist the beneficiaries to negotiate the legal procedure. This is because they are experienced enough and they know what is required to speed up the process. They can greatly help resolve any financial and legal matters which may occur during the procedure.
- Support the beneficiaries and the executors. Being an executor is challenging as you will have to come up with ways how you will carry out your duties. As an heir, it can turn out to be an overwhelming process since you do not know what to expect after the probate process. The lawyer will help reduce such confusion and clear any doubts concerning this legal issue. The lawyer can help the executors in appraising assets, releasing inheritance, and even debt settlement. It’s the role of the executor to endure that the outstanding debts of the deceased have been cleared off. This can be a hectic process. This is why professional help is important.
- Reduce family conflict. Death can cause a range of emotional reactions among family members. The grief period can result in tension between the heirs and other family members. Conflicts regarding the estates will occur as a result of differing expectations. Having a lawyer will make it easier to prevent any family conflicts.
- Protect the estate. The lawyer in most instances will ensure that both the wishes of the deceased and the welfare of their beneficiaries are safeguarded. Since most of the legal claims against the estate are done after death, resisting them becomes a challenge without the help of expertise. The lawyers are professional enough to handle such claims. Having the descents handle the claims on their own can be very stressful.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, a probate lawyer plays a crucial role when it comes to issues related to estates. The above article has illustrated some of the roles. These roles include: protecting the estate, reducing family conflict, supporting the beneficiaries, and even drafting the will.