Even when everyone is getting along within a family, going through the administration of an estate in probate court can be a long and stressful process. In all significant probate cases, there will be paperwork and other legal obligations that the designated personal representative must satisfy.
Moreover, obstacles to a smooth estate administration can come from a variety of quarters. Fighting among heirs is a common problem, but other issues, such as issues related to taxes, debts or just procedure, can also really make probate a headache.
Residents of Northern California should also remember that probate is not just something that happens when a person dies without any estate plan or, for that matter, with only a simple will.
In some cases, relatives will have to go to probate court with an issue pertaining to a guardianship or conservatorship of an incapacitated loved one. Even when there is a trust in play, a trustee may have to go to probate court to handle certain matters.
Our law office works hard to help clients navigate through whatever their probate matter may be as efficiently and as unobtrusively as possible. We do so by understanding the details of one’s specific situation early on in the case, as that helps us identify and possibly head off, potential legal problems that can cause delays or difficulties with the probate process.
In doing so, however, we recognize that a scorched earth approach is not always the best in a probate case. Using our over 18 years of experience, we try to focus on helping our clients find the most straightforward and cost-effective solution to their specific problems.