Probate Attorney

Hedtke Law Offices takes the time to educate our clients on the advantages and options available with Probate, Probate Avoidance, Estate & Probate Administration, and the Estate Planning process.

What is Probate?

Probate is a legal process that occurs after someone dies. It includes validating a will in court, identifying / inventorying / appraising the deceased person’s property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property as the will or law directs.

Probate Avoidance

Probate is the court process by which a person’s last will and testament is administered, creditors are paid, and assets are finally distributed to the decedent’s named beneficiaries. If the decedent died without a will (“intestate”), statutes provide an order of preference for relatives of the decedent who will be considered the decedent’s beneficiaries. Most clients choose to avoid probate for the following reasons:

Expense Probates are expensive. Because the statutes set forth a structured sequence of events that must be completed before the estate can be settled, lawyers have little discretion as to how the proceeding should be conducted. Even the simplest probate proceedings can cost as much as $5,000. Complicated estates can cost in excess of $100,000. As a guideline, estates facing probate should assume 3% to 5% of the estate will be paid to attorneys in legal fees. This cost should be compared to the relatively small costs associated with establishing a revocable living trust.

Time Probates take a substantial amount of time to complete. In a best case scenario probate could take six months to complete. On average, we find the process usually takes between 9 and 12 months. Generally, access to assets during the pendency of a probate is substantially restricted, and all distributions require court approval. Conversely, successor trustees in a revocable trust have access to assets immediately upon the death of the decedent and can manage the assets without the necessity of court supervision.

Private Matter Most people do not realize that a probate proceeding is no different than any other civil proceeding in a court of law. At any time, anyone can request the court clerk to retrieve the probate file and inspect its contents. Documents included in the file are the will, a petition for probate listing all of the decedent’s heirs to the second degree, a complete inventory of all of the decedent’s assets, and documents bringing to the court’s attention any other matters that require court attention. Generally, clients prefer to use revocable living trusts to keep their affairs private.

Get a probate administration lawyer from Hedtke Law Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is probate, and why is it necessary?

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate, ensuring debts are paid and assets are distributed.

Probate can take 6 months to several years, depending on the estate’s size and complexity.

Yes, using tools like trusts, joint ownership, or beneficiary designations can often help bypass probate.

The estate is distributed according to state intestacy laws, which may not align with the deceased’s wishes.

An attorney simplifies the process, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and resolves disputes efficiently. Call Hedtke Law Group at (909) 579-2233

Bankruptcy is nerve wracking when you don’t understand the process of it, however Neil confided in my husband and I that we would be ok. And for that I am fortunate to have gone through with Neil. He is very professional and his advice was very clear. 100% recommend!
 
Caroline Rivas

The thought of bankruptcy is very overwhelming and stressful, but Neil made me feel comfortable. He was patient and walked me through the process. Not only was the process quick, his prices are very reasonable. I would recommend Neil and the Hedtke Law Group to anyone looking for an honest and reliable attorney. Thank you Neil for my fresh start!

Jodi Ashbrook
I am so fortunate I chose Neil and Hedtke Law Group! They provided great communication and answered all of my questions through out the BK process. I definitely recommend!
 
Sarah Williams
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Please Describe Your Case
GET YOUR FREE GUIDE

A Guide to Bankruptcy: Helping People Get Out of Debt: Learn about the types of bankruptcy, how the process works, and how it can give you a fresh start. With the right support and information, getting out of debt is not just possible—it’s your next step to a brighter future.”

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
“Regain Control of Your Finances – Expert Bankruptcy Solutions for a Fresh Start!”