The term probate refers to the court-supervised distribution of a person’s assets after he or she has passed away. It is a time-consuming, frustrating, public and needlessly expensive process. How long does the process take? It depends on the size and complexity of the estate, and the local rules and schedule of the probate court. In general, most probates require all of the following, and sometimes, much more:

• Filing a petition with the probate court
• Notice to heirs named in the Will or, if there is no Will, to statutory heirs
• Petition to appoint a Personal Representative (if there is a Will) or an Administrator
• Inventory and appraisal of all estate assets
• Payment of estate debt to creditors
• Sale of estate assets
• Payment of estate taxes
• Final distribution of assets to heirs

Call our office to schedule an appointment if you need additional information about administering a probate estate or about how to avoid probate.