When a property owner passes away, their assets will be disbursed to those people who were named in their will or to those people who have a legal claim, if there was no will drawn up previous to their death. To make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible, it is best to hire a probate lawyer in Waxahachie, TX to help with the proceedings. Here are some tips on how to get things started.
Documents
There are several documents that need to be gathered. The first thing to get is the will. This is the official statement as to what goes where in terms of the decedent’s belongings, both tangible and intangible. There is a time limit to bring the will to the probate court in many states, so make sure this is done promptly. If there is no will, each state has their intestacy laws governing such an event. This would be a good time to hire a probate lawyer in Waxahachie, TX. In addition to the will, the heirs will need several copies of the death certificate to serve as official proof that the decedent is indeed dead.
Determination
If the estate left behind is a small one, for example under $50,000, there may be no probate needed at all. If the estate is worth more than that but is still not all that significantly large, the heirs may be able to perform what is known as simple probate. This is much easier and faster than the formal probate process. However, some states have a monetary limit on what can be governed under simple probate law. To determine if the estate is eligible for simple probate or if it needs to be filed under the formal probate procedures, it may be best to contact an experienced law firm such as Mallios & Associates PC.
If you have any questions or if the heirs feel a professional determination needs to be made, click here. With years of experience behind them, a knowledgeable team of attorneys can help guide the client to make sure the entire probate proceedings run smoothly, efficiently and quickly.
