Probate Administration Lawyer O’Fallon, Missouri
If you either do not currently possess an up-to-date estate plan or you’re navigating the practical and legal aftermath of a loved one’s death, you can benefit from speaking with a probate administration lawyer O’Fallon, Missouri residents trust. If you’re considering the impacts that your death will have on your property, assets, and loved ones, the experienced Missouri legal team at Legacy Law Center can help you to construct an estate plan designed to make the probate administration process as stress-free and straightforward for your loved ones as is possible. If you’re trying to figure out how to navigate the probate administration process tied to a loved one’s passing, working with a probate lawyer O’Fallon, Missouri residents trust can help to ensure that your loved one’s wishes are honored as efficiently and effectively as possible. Either way, please know that you can contact our experienced team today for thoughtful, knowledgeable, compassionate, and focused legal assistance.
The Basics of Probate and Estate Administration
The term “probate” can refer to two legal processes. The first refers to the legal “proving” of a will. Some states only subject a will to a legal proving process in the event that an individual died without updating their will for some time, if a dispute arises between those affected by the will, and/or there is reason to believe that the integrity of the will has been compromised or should otherwise be called into question. Other states, including Missouri, generally subject all wills to a proving process in order to better ensure that the wishes of the deceased are properly understood and honored.
The second way that the term “probate” is commonly used involves the legal and practical administration of an estate. When an individual passes away, their accounts must be properly closed, their debts settled, and their assets transferred to the estate, and their property must be distributed according to their wishes. The process of handling all of these legal and practical “ins and outs” of an estate are referred to as either probate or estate administration. The job of an estate administrator can be complex and may take a great deal of time to manage properly before the estate of a deceased individual has been handled completely and can be “closed.” As a result, it is important to choose someone trustworthy, responsible, capable, and willing to serve as your estate administrator. If you’ve been chosen to administer the estate of a loved one, know that you can turn to our trusted legal team for assistance and guidance when executing your duties under the law.
Legal Assistance Is Available
Estate planning, probate, and estate administration are critical legal processes that should not be handled lightly. Whether you’re planning your own estate or administering the estate of another, it is far preferable to ask for assistance when you need it, instead of making assumptions that could lead to costly, time-intensive, and complex legal complications down the road. Connect with our O’Fallon, Missouri probate administration lawyer team today to learn more; we look forward to speaking with you.