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Probate

Like most things in life, the probate process can be as simple or complicated as it is inevitable, not to mention, it can be extremely time consuming and emotionally draining. There are Small Estate Transfers that can be done without going through the probate process at all. There are Summary Probates that can be opened and closed in as little as thirty days. There are Informal Probates that take a little longer than Small Estate Transfers, but usually require little if any Court involvement. And then there are Formal Probates and Special Administration that generally involve direct Court supervision of cases and can take several months or years to complete. The nature and value of the decedent's estate, and whether or not he or she died with or without a Last Will & Testament in place will generally determine what path to take through the probate process.

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  • Testate - died with Will in place

  • Intestate - died without Will in place

  • Used for the purpose of transferring real or personal property, or financial accounts

  • Minimum of 1 to 6 months must have passed from date of death depending if real or personal property being transferred

  • Other restrictions may apply

Summary Estate

  • Testate - died with Will in place

  • Intestate - died without Will in place

  • Can be handled without publishing notification to creditors and closed within 30 to 60 days

  • Used for the purpose of transferring real or personal property, or financial accounts

  • No waiting period must have passed from date of death depending if real or personal property being transferred

  • Other restrictions may apply

Informal Probate (Most Common)

  • Testate - died with Will in place

  • Intestate - died without Will in place

  • Probate Clerk (Registrar) appoints Personal Representative without Court hearing

  • Will likely need to inventory the Estate and provide proposal for distribution of Estate assets and an accounting to heirs

  • Can be handled with little, if any Court involvement if not contested.

  • Can take several months to complete before closing.

Formal Probate

  • Testate - died with Will in place

  • Intestate - died without Will in place

  • Requires hearing before Probate Judge or Commissioner for appointment of Personal Representative

  • Closely overseen by Court and litigation of some kind often anticipated by will contests from heirs or creditor claims.

  • Can take several months to years to conclude

  • Losing a loved one is hard enough without also having to deal with the nervous anxiety usually caused by fear of the unknown and navigating your way through the probate process.

  • If you’ve chosen to represent yourself in your Probate case I can help with the benefit of over 25 years of legal document preparation expertise and practical knowledge of how the court system works.

  • Why waste your inheritance on high priced attorney fees if you don't have to. Call me now to schedule your free probate consultation. I will come to your home, office, hospital, or other convenient location.

Probate Price List

Although fees are always reasonable each probate case has its own set of unique circumstances that that make quoting fees difficult without having specific information about your case. Please call or email for a fee quote.

Small non-Probate Transfers

Small Estate:

Includes: Small Estate Affidavit for transferring real estate, personal property, or financial accounts. Restrictions apply.Application for Small Estate Probate and all supporting documents. Obtain Probate Registrar Appointment of Personal Representative, and Closing Statement.

If case becomes contested:

Additional Probate documentation services and fee quotes available upon request. Or you may wish to consult with an attorney.


 

Summary Probate:

Application for Small Estate Probate

Includes: Application for Small Estate Probate and all supporting documents. Obtain Probate Registrar Appointment of Personal Representative, and Closing Statement.

If case becomes contested:

Additional Probate documentation services and fee quotes available upon request. Or you may wish to consult with an attorney.


 

Informal / with or without Will

Application for Probate of Estate:

Includes: Application for Probate and all supporting documents. Obtain Probate Registrar Appointment of Personal Representative. Publish Notice of Appointment, Mail Notice to Creditors (if necessary), prepare Inventory and Appraisement, First and Final Accounting, and Closing Statement.

If case becomes contested:

Additional Probate documentation services and fee quotes available upon request. Or you may wish to consult with an attorney.


 

Formal / with or without Will

Petition for Formal Probate of Estate:

Includes: Petition for Probate and all supporting documents. Obtain Court hearing date for Appointment of Personal Representative. Publish Notice of Appointment, Mail Notice to Creditors (if necessary), prepare Inventory and Appraisement, First and Final Accounting, and Closing Statement.

If case becomes contested:


 

Additional Probate documentation services and fee quotes available upon request. Or you may wish to consult with an attorney.

*FILING FEES, PUBLICATION FEES, COURT APPOINTED VISITOR FEES, AND PROCESS SERVICE FEES ARE EXTRA, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARATION FEES SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON COMPLEXITY OF CASE. 

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS FOR ACTIVE AND RETIRED MILITARY, MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

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