If you’ve already set
up a last will and testament that involves more than $150,000 worth
of assets, you can expect a probate lawyer to administer it once
you’re gone. A probate lawyer is a legal representative
specializing in asset distribution following the probate process.
Except in cases where your assets are held in joint tenancy or in a
living trust, your heirs will need a probate attorney to help them
through the probate process.
The probate process is
complex and lengthy, some taking more than six months to be
completed. Without a probate lawyer giving your family a hand, the
transfer of assets may be disorganized and unsuccessful. In fact, one
of the likely jobs of a probate lawyer is to execute a will if he or
she is named as the executor. In probate cases, the lawyer may
represent the executor or the heirs.
The trustworthiness of
probate lawyers is guaranteed by laws which disqualify them from
being a beneficiary of any will they may be executing. This ethical
rule maintains the validity of the will and ensures that there is no
conflict of interest. In general, a probate attorney can represent
any party involved in a probate process.
