Best Probate Lawyers in Cherry Hill

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Cherry Hill, New Jersey?

  The non-emergency dispatch number of the Cherry Hill Police Department is 856-665-1200.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Cherry Hill, New Jersey?

  Cherry Hill police reports may be picked up from the office of the police records. For inquiries, contact the Records Unit at 856-488-7822.

• How much must a Cherry Hill estate be worth before it is required to undergo full probate?

  A Cherry Hill estate may not be required to undergo full probate if its value does not reach 20,000 dollars. In addition, a surviving spouse must have a valid claim to the whole estate. If the deceased did not marry or does not have a surviving spouse, their other family members may designate one heir who will get all the assets. If all these conditions are present, then the estate becomes qualified for a simple probate process.

• What happens if the deceased in Cherry Hill has no designated executor for probate?

  If a deceased person in Cherry Hill has no designated executor, then the surrogate may provide an heir with letters of administration, which gives them the right to act as probate administrator for the estate. The first choice for such a role is the surviving spouse, but if they decline or there is none, the letters may be granted instead to other heirs. If they also refuse, then administration rights may be given to someone who is fit for the task.

• What courts handle Cherry Hill probates?

  In New Jersey, where Cherry Hill is located, two courts handle matters concerning probate, specifically the Probate Part of the Chancery Division of the Superior Court and the Surrogate's Court. The Surrogate's Court, which is a limited jurisdiction court, handles most cases and only deals with uncontested matters. The Probate Part of the Superior Court handles every other case.

• Do probate fees in Cherry Hill vary based on the size of the estate?

  When petitioning Cherry Hill estates, probate fees are charged based on the will’s length and not the size of the estate. So if they have the same number of pages, a will for an estate with 1,000 dollars in assets will have the same probate fee as an estate with 1 million dollars in assets. This is different from some states which charge high probate fees — sometimes reaching thousands of dollars — for estates with large assets.

• Do most Cherry Hill probate cases require appearance in the courtroom?

  For most Cherry Hill estates, there is not much oversight on the probate process, and the chances of going into the courtroom to face a judge are slim. More likely, the persons involved will instead meet the clerk or surrogate in settling the estate. They will look at the will, validate it, issue the paperwork that names the executor, and send them on their way. In other states, significant control is held over the administrator or executor.

• What does a probate attorney do?

  Probate attorneys are licensed professionals who represent executors and heirs after someone has died. They provide personalized legal advice, assist with tax planning, settle debts, and facilitate the distribution of assets. Probate attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by probate courts, although some litigators focus on handling disputes and lawsuits related to contested estates.

• What is probate court?

  Probate court works with the family or beneficiaries of a deceased person to validate their last will and testament. The courts review the individual's will to identify and calculate assets, pay off remaining debts, and distribute the remaining property to beneficiaries per the deceased person's requests. Depending on state laws, property valued under a certain amount may not require probate.

• How long do you have to file probate after death?

  The amount of time loved ones have to file a will after a person dies varies from state to state. While California courts require probate to be filed within one year, New York has no deadline. That being said, it's advisable to file probate as quickly as possible once a person has died, as the process itself can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year.

• Does life insurance go through probate?

  Life insurance doesn't need to go through the probate courts if the deceased individual has named a beneficiary on their policy. However, life insurance policies without beneficiaries, or with beneficiaries who are either deceased themselves or cannot be contacted, go directly to the deceased individual's estate. When this happens, life insurance proceeds must go through probate court to determine how funds should be allocated.

• Do household items go through probate?

  While the exact rules do vary from state to state, most household items don't require probate and are automatically left to immediate families unless otherwise stated in the deceased person's will. When it comes to property, only items above a certain value or held in title are required to go through probate in most states.

• Do bank accounts with beneficiaries have to go through probate?

  In the event a beneficiary has been named, bank accounts are not required to go through probate and will be paid directly to the person designated by the deceased individual. However, should that individual be deceased themselves or if contact cannot be made after a certain period of time, funds will be allocated to the estate and put through the probate process.

• What happens if no probate is filed?

  Depending on the circumstances, probate may not be required in all cases. If a person passes on and their remaining property is jointly owned, it automatically transfers to the other owner. However, if a property is not jointly owned and no probate has been filed, the executor of the will won't be able to transfer titles or cash assets to beneficiaries. Be aware that the specific laws surrounding probate requirements vary from state to state.

• What is probate real estate?

  Probate real estate is the process that happens when a realtor steps in to handle the sale or transfer of a deceased person's owned home to another individual. In some cases, the house is sold as a means of liquidating assets, and proceeds from the sale are used to pay debts or are distributed to beneficiaries.

• Can I probate a will or estate without an attorney?

  It is possible to probate a will and close an estate without hiring an attorney. However, it requires multiple steps and an understanding of the law. The first step is to petition the court to appoint a representative for the estate. Next, the executor must notify all heirs and creditors before switching ownership from the decedent to the estate. Once all debts, taxes, and final expenses have been paid, funds can be transferred to heirs. To close an estate, the executor must submit a report showing the court that all obligations and final wishes have been satisfied. While a will and estate may seem straightforward, things can get complicated quickly if multiple heirs are involved, or if disputes or disagreements arise over distribution. A probate lawyer can help navigate these disputes effectively, and take pressure off the executor when beneficiaries aren’t getting along.

• How many years can an estate remain in probate?

  If the will or proposed distribution of property is contested, an estate may remain in probate for several years. The timeline depends on how long relatives have to initiate probate, how long creditors have to come forward, and how busy the courts are. In some states, such as Florida, relatives have just 10 days to initiate probate, and the entire process takes approximately six months. In other areas, such as Massachusetts, the process can last one to two years, although the majority of probate activities occur in the first nine months. The value of the estate also affects the duration of the case. For example, California and Texas have simplified procedures for smaller estates, such as those valued at $150,000 or less.

• When is a will's probate an automatic process?

  Probate is the legal process of validating a last will and testament to ensure that the decedent's wishes are followed. A probate judge may automatically clear wills if they're accompanied by an affidavit from the decedent, a notary, and a witness. Some assets, including financial accounts with designated beneficiaries, and funds held by certain types of trusts don't have to go through probate.

• What does it mean when property is under probate?

  Real estate that's under probate is typically liquidated through the court system, which is most common when someone dies without a will. Home buyers who are interested in this type of property must follow special rules regarding deposits, which are sometimes nonrefundable, and buyer's premiums. Additionally, the court must approve the purchase price.