Probate and Estate Administration
Probate is the process of distributing a person's property after they die.
The death of a loved one is one of the most stressful events a person can experience. Having to navigate through the probate process without the assistance of an experienced attorney can make the experience even more stressful.
After a person dies, their will must be offered for probate. The probate court will then appoint an executor, usually the person named in the decedent's will. The executor is responsible for gathering the assets of the estate, notifying the decedent's heirs of the probate, notifying creditors of the decedent's death, collecting any debts owed to the estate, distributing the assets of the estate to the beneficiaries named in the will, and closing the estate once all its business has concluded. The executor is also responsible for filing an accounting which details all assets, whether cash or property, that have come into or gone out of the estate.
If a person dies without a will (intestate), their estate must also be probated. The process is known as administration. Once a Petition for Letters of Administration is filed with the court, the court will appoint an administrator whose responsibilities are very similar to those of an executor.
Although the responsibilities of the executor or administrator may seem simple, the probate process can be very complicated and time consuming. Bennett, Parkerson, & Bray specialize in providing comprehensive legal services relating to all aspects of the probate and estate administration process, including probate litigation and estate, gift, and inheritance tax return preparation.
Need Our Services? Call us at (615) 962-7606!
The Law Offices of Bennett, Parkerson, & Bray handles:
- Probate of Wills
- Intestate Estate Administration
- Will Contests and other Probate Litigation
- Small Estate Affidavit Preparation
- Estate and Inheritance Tax Return Preparation
Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning
Preserve your hard earned family property and give your family the security it deserves!
Many people find the idea of estate planning unpleasant because it requires them to think about their own mortality. However, creating a sensible estate plan is one of the best gifts you can leave to your family. Although a good estate plan preserves assets and avoids tax consequences, it eliminates confusion about how you want your assets to be distributed, reduces the possibility of family conflict, and alleviates the stress that often results when a person dies without a will or trust.
Whether it consists of a will, a trust, or both, a good estate plan will decrease the cost of passing your estate to your beneficiaries by minimizing administrative hurdles. Additionally, creating an estate plan allows you to address tax issues and implement measures that will allow you to protect your assets from creditors. These are critical concerns regardless of the size of your estate. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you create an estate plan that will maximize the amount of wealth you pass on to your heirs and will offer increased protection of your assets from creditors, while minimizing exposure to various taxes.
The attorneys at Bennett, Parkerson & Bray don't take a cookie cutter approach to estate planning. We specialize in tailoring an estate plan that meets the individual needs of each client. No matter how big or small your estate, the Law Offices of Bennett, Parkerson, & Bray is prepared to work with you to closely examine your situation and create an estate plan that works for you. This includes meeting with you periodically to address any life changes that you've experienced so that we can update your estate plan accordingly.
We Offer Estate Planning Advice and Documents Including:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Living Wills
- Healthcare Directives
- Durable Powers of Attorney
If you're involved in a legal matter pertaining to any of the above then don't hesitate! Call us today at (615) 962-7606!
