Sometimes, a person’s estates may have unique situations that just no one can resolve. Some estates, even the simplest ones, may have certain quirks that will need a different type of expert. If any of the following is part of the decedent’s estate, you should seek additional expertise:
- Separate and community property of a married couple are co-mingled and you’re not sure how to distribute the property equally.
- A creditor files a large disputed claim against the estate.
- The will states disbursement of property that is no longer owned by the decedent.
- A beneficiary cannot be located.
- A person challenges the estate settlements.
- The will is not clear on what happens to the estate.
- The beneficiary contests the will or interferes with the settlement.
You may not always need a probate lawyer, however. California law authorizes non-lawyers to prepare forms for consumers that wish to handle their own legal work. These people are usually referred to as “legal document assistants.” This may be a real estate agent or operate out of an independent office separate from a lawyer. However, these assistants cannot offer legal advice, and you are still responsible for making all the decisions about how to proceed, but they can be a lot less expensive.
If you have questions about probate, you can certainly talk to your probate real estate agent about the requirements for distributing certain property and properly disposing of the estate.
Read more: Do I Need Probate Court Proceedings?
Paralegals, lawyers, and probate real estate agents are all excellent resources. You can start with a probate real estate agent that can answer
your questions for free, not giving you a piece of legal advice to stay out of trouble. I can arrange a private consultation with a Probate attorney may save you thousands. Most lawyers will either require payment upfront, a retainer, or an hourly charge, even for simply asking questions. If you choose a lawyer, search for one that does not object to you doing your own legal work and may charge a reasonable hourly rate. This is impossible, but it can be complicated. Using a probate real estate agent can answer all the questions you might have and help you with the right proceedings. Because a dedicated probate real estate agent understands the situation, the proceedings, and all the ins and outs, you can feel confident that your questions are answered in the proceedings are handled appropriately.
Contact me today to get started or to ask questions about a potential probate real estate situation.