Reasons to Seek Legal Counsel During Probate

When a person dies and leaves behind a will, probate is the process used to verify that it is valid. In many cases, the will is not contested and the estate’s affairs are settled in a timely manner. However, even in relatively easy cases, there are many steps that must be taken such as inventorying assets and paying taxes. Let’s look at how an attorney may be helpful during probate.

Executors Don’t Have to Make Decisions Alone

It is natural for the executor of an estate to want to settle a deceased person’s affairs as quickly as possible. However, this may mean failing to notify a possible beneficiary about the death or paying creditors without proper authority to do so. An attorney may be able to help the executor decide how to handle requests from heirs or creditors. If necessary, an attorney may talk to a probate judge on that person’s behalf if he or she is unclear about to proceed in a given situation.

Legal Counsel Can Act as the Executor If Necessary

At some point, the appointed executor of an estate may feel overwhelmed about the role that he or she has been given. In such a scenario, an attorney may actually be able to take over as executor or representative of the estate. This may relieve an individual of the stress and burden of making decisions that could potentially make friends or family members upset.

Individuals Can Ask Questions at Any Time

Even if a person isn’t the executor of an estate, he or she may still have questions about probate or how to challenge a will. Talking with a probate attorney in Las Vegas may make it easier to have those questions answered or better understand how to challenge wills or other directives issued by the deceased.