Probate

Most people do not really understand the term “probate” or why there is a general consensus that it should be avoided at all costs. Probate is a court-supervised administration of a decedent’s estate, and it can occur whether a decedent has died with or without a will and, in some unanticipated cases, can even occur where a trust has been executed. The purpose of probate is to prove a decedent’s last will or to determine his or her heirs if no will has been found, to appoint a personal representative with authority to administer the estate, to protect creditors, and ultimately to facilitate the distribution of the estate to the decedent’s beneficiaries or heirs.

Probate is time consuming and expensive by definition, and it is generally wise to avoid it. If probate has become inevitable due to lack of planning, the attorneys at Lera Tiberini are experts in the very technical field of probate administration. They have handled numerous probate matters, including formal probate administration and summary probate procedures, such as small estate affidavits, spousal property petitions, and petitions to determine succession to real property. They can expertly guide you through the technical administration process with confidence and ease. Probate can be intimidating and an unforgiving trap for the unwary. We are aware of the strain caused by a probate administration, and we are sensitive to your recent loss. We will do everything we can to make the process as easy on you as possible.