Probate & Estate Administration

Guiding executors, administrators, and families through the legal and administrative process of settling an estate — with clarity, efficiency, and compassion.

"Even when a loved one had a trust-based estate plan, some court involvement or administrative guidance is often still required. We help families understand exactly what the process involves and what to expect at each stage."

Services Include

  • Probate Petitions & Court Filings

  • Asset Identification & Inventory

  • Creditor Notification & Debt Resolution

  • Estate Tax Return Preparation

  • Trust Administration

  • Beneficiary Distributions

  • Will Contest Defense

  • Fiduciary Representation

  • Ancillary Probate in Multiple States

  • Final Accountings

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Simple, uncontested estates may be closed within six months to a year. Complex estates — particularly those with significant assets, multiple jurisdictions, creditor claims, or disputes — may take considerably longer. Our team works to move the process forward as efficiently as possible.

  • No. Assets with designated beneficiaries (retirement accounts, life insurance), jointly held property, and assets held in a trust typically transfer outside of probate. Proper estate planning can minimize or eliminate the probate estate entirely.

  • An executor (called a personal representative in some states) is responsible for filing the will with the court, gathering and protecting estate assets, notifying and paying creditors, filing tax returns, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries — all in accordance with the will and applicable law.

  • Yes. Executors and trustees owe fiduciary duties and can be held personally liable for failing to administer the estate properly. Working with an experienced probate attorney helps ensure that fiduciaries are protected by following the correct procedures.

Need Guidance After a Loss?

Our attorneys are available to help you navigate the probate and estate administration process with care and efficiency.

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Schedule a Consultation

Settling an Estate with Clarity and Confidence

The death of a loved one is among life's most challenging experiences. Managing the legal and administrative requirements that follow — often under time pressure and emotional strain — can feel overwhelming. Our probate and estate administration attorneys provide steady, experienced guidance at every step, helping personal representatives, executors, and trustees fulfill their duties efficiently and in full compliance with applicable law.

Whether the estate is simple or complex, contested or uncontested, we are here to reduce the burden on families and ensure that assets are properly identified, protected, and distributed.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the court-supervised legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered. It involves validating the will (if one exists), identifying and appraising assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining estate to rightful beneficiaries.

Not all assets pass through probate. Assets held in trust, jointly owned property, and accounts with named beneficiaries typically transfer outside the probate process. Our attorneys help clients understand which assets are subject to probate and develop strategies to streamline administration.

  • Filing the probate petition and appointment of executor

  • Identifying, inventorying, and appraising estate assets

  • Notifying creditors and resolving outstanding debts

  • Preparing and filing estate tax returns

  • Distributing assets to beneficiaries

  • Court filings, accountings, and hearings

Trust Administration Services

When a loved one passes with a revocable living trust, the trust becomes irrevocable and the successor trustee takes on significant legal and fiduciary obligations. Trust administration is distinct from probate — it is conducted privately, without court supervision — but carries its own complexities.

Our firm assists successor trustees with every aspect of administration, from sending required notices to beneficiaries and marshaling trust assets, to making distributions and filing final income tax returns for the decedent and the trust.

When Disputes Arise

Probate disputes — including will contests, beneficiary disagreements, and claims against an estate — can significantly delay administration and damage family relationships. Our attorneys are skilled in both resolving disputes through negotiation and representing clients in contested probate proceedings when litigation is unavoidable.