When a person passes, their estate must be distributed in a manner consistent with state laws and any directions they placed in writing while they were alive. This is commonly known as “probate” and the probate process can be difficult to navigate.
In most cases, a deceased person’s wishes can be discovered from a will or trust document that they wrote when they were alive. However, potential beneficiaries can have various interpretations of that document or may seek to rely on a promise made by the deceased person outside of that written will or trust document. A Modesto probate attorney can advise you about which rules will be applicable to a particular estate.
In addition, a probate attorney can help beneficiaries identify which of the decedent’s assets are subject to the will or trust, resolving tax issues, managing assets before they’re distributed, assisting with paying bills and debts, obtaining appraisals for the decedent’s real property, and filing any documents required by a probate court.
If you are responsible for managing an estate in probate or believe you’re the beneficiary of an estate in probate, an experienced Modesto probate attorney is essential. Call our office to schedule a consultation at (209) 544-1117.