There are estate planning methods that can be used to help keep property out of probate court, for example. Depending upon the techniques used for protecting an asset from probate, there may be other legal concerns to take into account. If you have questions about your estate plan or about avoiding probate, contact an estate planning attorney for straightforward solutions that will work for you.
New Jersey Probate Attorneys
If you need an attorney for the probate of an estate, trust litigation or a will contest, the experienced probate attorneys at Byrnes Kirkwood can help. If you need to speak with an attorney about the probate of an estate or probate litigation, contact Byrnes Kirkwood in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Our attorneys, Sean F. Byrnes and Christopher Kirkwood, have more than 40 years of combined legal experience. We offer comprehensive probate services. To speak with an attorney at our firm, call 732-219-7711, or contact us by e-mail.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Probate and Estate Administration
Q: What is probate?
A: In general, probate is the court procedure by which a will's validity is proved, assets collected, creditors paid and the remaining assets distributed to beneficiaries under the will.
Q: What is a will contest?
A: A will contest is a legal action that challenges the validity of a will and/or the terms of the will. Will contests typically involve allegations that a will was inadequately executed, invalidated by a later will or was the result of forgery or undue influence.
Probate and Estate Administration - An Overview
Estate administration refers to the process of probating the estate of a decedent, which generally includes collecting, inventorying and appraising assets; paying and collecting debts; filing and paying estate taxes; and distributing any remaining assets to beneficiaries. An experienced probate and estate administration attorney from Byrnes Kirkwood, Attorneys at Law in Red Bank, New Jersey, can help simplify this complicated process. If you need help in the administration of an estate, call Byrnes Kirkwood, Attorneys at Law today.
The Probate Process
Probate is the court process used to determine the validity of a will and oversee the payment of creditors and distribution of estate assets. Even if there is no valid will at the time of death, the estate will still go through the probate procedure. Since probate is regulated by state laws, there are specific procedures prescribed by each state for carrying out the process.
Role of the Executor
An executor is the person named by the creator of the will (the testator) to carry out the terms and provisions of the will. In addition to locating important documents and notifying Social Security, pension providers, annuity providers and other entities of the death, the executor has numerous other legal responsibilities.
Avoiding Probate
Assets disposed of outside the probate process are part of the non-probate estate. Because a probate proceeding is not required, these assets are distributed more quickly to the appropriate beneficiaries. Many people seek out these assets and ownership models to save their loved ones from the difficulties associated with going through probate.
Will Contests
The fact that a person leaves a will does not guarantee that her or his property will be distributed according to the will's terms. A court generally must provide an opportunity to allow others to object to the will, and a legal challenge, called a will contest, may be brought by anyone with an interest in the will who believes it is invalid.
Probate and Estate Administration Resource Links
Uniform Probate Code Locator
Maintained by Cornell University Law School, this site identifies the states that have adopted, at least in part, the Uniform Probate Code. Links are also provided to each state's version of the code.
Executors
This page is maintained by the H.E.L.P. organization, and provides an overview of the executor's, personal representatives', and trustee's estate administration responsibilities.
The Probate Process
This American Bar Association resource provides general information on the probate process, including information on the costs, how long the process takes and what types of estates pass through probate.
Wills and Estates: The Probate Process
This American Bar Association resource provides general information on the probate process.
SmartMoney® Estate Planning
Provides information to consumers on the process of gathering information and documentation for estate planning.
