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Top Probate Lawyers
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New York, NY
Russo Law Group, P.C.
100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd Ste 102, Garden City, NY 11530Katzner Law Group
360 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017Mishiyeva Law
New York, NY 10004
Los Angeles, CA
Keystone Law Group
11300 West Olympic Boulevard Suite 910, Los Angeles, CA 90064RMO LLP
2029 Century Park E Ste 2910, Los Angeles, CA 90067The DLJ Law Firm
3655 Torrance Blvd Suite 300, Torrance, CA 90503
Chicago, IL
Grant Park Legal Advisors LLC
307 N. Michigan Ave Suite 820, Chicago, IL 60601Expertise.com Concierge Service
Chicago, ILPetrelli Previtera, LLC
180 N Stetson Ave Ste 3500, Chicago, IL 60601
Brooklyn, NY
Russo Law Group, P.C.
100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd Ste 102, Garden City, NY 11530Wellerstein Law Group, P.C.
2365 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230Landskind & Ricaforte Law Group, P.C.
269 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11209
Houston, TX
Law Office of Troy M. Moore, PLLC
20333 TX-249 Suite 140, Houston, TX 77070Expertise.com Concierge Service
Houston, TXBoswell Law Firm
17625 El Camino Real, Suite 480, Houston, TX 77058
Phoenix, AZ
Kadish Associates Law Group
4647 N 32nd St Ste 135, Phoenix, AZ 85018Expertise.com Concierge Service
Phoenix, AZWesbrooks Law Firm
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Philadelphia, PA
Petrelli Previtera, LLC
1845 Walnut St Fl 19, Philadelphia, PA 19103Law Offices of Michael Kuldiner, P.C
922 Bustleton Pike Ste 1, Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053Jerner Law Group, P.C.
5401 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
San Antonio, TX
The Voeller Law Firm
19311 FM 2252, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78266The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie
310 S. St. Mary's Street, Suite 2100, San Antonio, TX 78205Packard Law Firm
1100 NW Loop 410 Suite 104, San Antonio, TX 78213
Dallas, TX
Caldwell, Bennett, Thomas, Toraason & Mead, PLLC
4851 LBJ Freeway Suite 601, Dallas, TX 75244Tarleton Law Firm
8150 N. Central Expy, Suite 1150, Dallas, TX 75206The Law Office of Jo Ann Bui Leslie
Dallas, TX 75206
San Diego, CA
The Grossman Law Firm, APC
11440 W Bernardo Ct Ste 300, San Diego, CA 92127Expertise.com Concierge Service
San Diego, CARobinson & Wilson, ALC
11665 Avena Place, San Diego, CA 92128
Top Probate Lawyers in other locations
- Probate Lawyers in Baltimore, MD
- Probate Lawyers in El Paso, TX
- Probate Lawyers in Boston, MA
- Probate Lawyers in Milwaukee, WI
- Probate Lawyers in Denver, CO
- Probate Lawyers in Seattle, WA
- Probate Lawyers in Nashville, TN
- Probate Lawyers in Washington DC
- Probate Lawyers in Las Vegas, NV
- Probate Lawyers in Portland, OR
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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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