When a person passes away, the transfer of his or her estate to heirs and beneficiaries is commonly handled through a court-supervised process known as probate. This is a legal process that has many steps that must be handled according to state law. Probate may not be necessary in some cases, such as where a trust was established to transfer the deceased person’s assets, where the deceased person owned property jointly with another, or where so few assets remain (such as only personal belongings or household items) that court supervision is not required. However, where the deceased owned assets of value, such as a home, vehicle, bank accounts, and more, the transfer requires probate.

The probate process is generally managed by an executor named in the will or by a court-appointed personal representative. If you need legal assistance or representation in handling a probate matter as either the executor or personal representative, you can turn to Oakes Law Office, PC. Our firm has assisted countless clients throughout the process in all matters pertaining to this procedure, from will contests to ensuring all steps are completed properly.