Washington, Utah Probate Lawyers

Are you grieving the death of someone in your family, and wondering what to do next when it comes to settling their legal and financial affairs? Let us first say how extremely sorry we are for your loss. We understand how hard death can be to deal with, and we also understand that the last thing you probably want to be doing is sorting through paperwork and contacting lawyers. 

However, if your loved one didn’t have a trust or an estate plan when they passed away, all of their possessions may have to go through probate before you and the rest of your family can officially inherit them. Our compassionate and experienced Washington, Utah probate lawyers can guide you every step of the way through the process so you can focus on moving forward! Call today to schedule a free 30 minute consultation and learn more. 

What Is Probate, And How Does It Work? 

Probate is a Utah court process that may have to occur after someone’s death in order for their estate (all of their assets and property) to be legally transferred to their beneficiaries.

If your loved one had a valid last will and testament, then the will has to be submitted to the court, as well as their death certificate. A probate case will be opened, and the person who is named in the will (if applicable) will be appointed as the estate’s executor in charge of overseeing the probate process. (If there was no estate executor named or no will, the court will appoint a personal representative, who essentially has the same responsibilities). 

The main duty of an estate executor/personal representative is to ensure that the deceased person’s wishes are carried out formally and correctly, either according to the terms laid out in their will and court procedures or, if there was no will, according to Utah’s intestate laws. To this end, the estate executor/personal representative will need to:

• Notify creditors, heirs, and the public
• Collect and care for the deceased person’s assets while the case is open (for example, making sure their lawn gets mowed, etc.) 
• Having the assets inventoried and appraised
• Filing final tax returns and paying any taxes owed
• Settling outstanding debts with creditors (or resolving creditor claims)
• Paying court fees and communicating with the courts
• Distributing remaining assets to the beneficiaries
• Closing the estate
• And more. 

Drawbacks Of Probate

Probate is a long, involved process. It can take weeks, months, or even years depending on the size of the estate, the number of beneficiaries, and other factors to successfully complete probate; this will require hours and hours of the estate executor/personal representative’s time. If any mistakes are made, even unknowingly, lawsuits could be filed or additional fines incurred. The process is already expensive as is with the amount of court fees involved. 

When you’re grieving, trying to navigate probate and figure out deadlines and take care of all of this on your own can feel like adding insult to injury. You may be completely overwhelmed, and all you likely want to do is spend time comforting your family members, remembering your loved one, and moving on with your life – not meeting court deadlines and filling out forms. That’s why it is always in your best interests to work with knowledgeable Washington, Utah probate lawyers who can take the burden of probate off you. 

How Our Washington, Utah Probate Lawyers Can Make Things Easier During This Difficult Time

Proven Law is a firm that only focuses on estate, trust, and tax matters; this means that we are intimately familiar with probate administration law, and we can simplify the process for you! We will take the time to review your situation, explain all of your options, answer all of your questions, and then handle all of the details for you so you don’t have to worry about anything. We have over 95 years of collective experience on our top-notch legal team and can give you peace of mind! Call today to schedule a free 30 minute consultation and get started.