Probate
Helping You
through trying times
When someone you love passes away, grief and final resting matters are more than enough to deal with. Figuring out how long you’ll be in court, how much you should pay an attorney, and how you’ll manage a loved one’s assets shouldn’t add to your sadness. Let our probate-focused team help handle the situation and reduce costs, stress, and conflict.
The Speed and Support
You Need
The attorney that wrote your loved one’s will isn’t always the best person to work through probate with. Before you track that person down, talk with our team. We may find that probate isn’t even necessary. But, if it is, we’ll help get you through the process as quickly as possible. So your loved one’s assets go to you, not us.
Caring Efficiency So You Can Move Forward
Probate isn’t just expensive and time-consuming, it can create challenging conflicts. We work with you to understand your situation, determine if you need probate, and, if you do, find solutions that help everyone move forward quickly.
With AlerStallings, you get:
Relief
that you can spend time focusing on your family instead of learning to be an executor or administrator
Knowledge
that if you need probate, you’ll have an expert team to help you
Satisfaction
that the process will be completed as quickly, efficiently and inexpensively as possible
The Right Guide
Makes a Difference
When your loved one’s estate has to go through probate, we will be there. Our team has helped thousands of Ohioans get through the probate process. From paying outstanding debts and taxes to distributing what’s left, we can be your guide.
Our services include helping you:
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Give Notice
File the right paperwork, make the right appointments, and let the right people know
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Take Inventory
Understand what assets exist and make sure people who may have a claim have notice
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Manage Bills
Pay bills, taxes, and fees and, if necessary, sell assets to ensure any obligations are met
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Transfer Assets
Work together to understand what’s left and where it all needs to go
We Know How
Tough This Can Be
For more than a decade, we’ve helped get people through trying times. And we’ve learned that estate planning and elder care law aren’t just about legal matters. They’re also about matters of the heart. Let us help you get through your challenge and find peace on the other side.
We're Listening and Answering
We don’t expect you to know everything. That’s why we’re here.
It’s also why we put together a list of the questions we hear most often.
Probate is the court and process that looks after people who cannot make their own personal, health care and financial decisions. These people fall into three general categories: Minor Children (under age 18 in most states); Incapacitated Adults; and People who have died without legal arrangements to avoid probate. Probate proceedings can be expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, the court proceeding and associated documents are all a matter of public record. Many people choose to avoid probate to save money, spare their heirs a legal hassle, and keep their personal affairs private.
Probate begins when the will of a deceased person is given to an attorney. Sometimes, attorneys even keep the original at their office. The attorney then delivers it to the judge at the county courthouse and the legal process begins. Legal notices are then placed in the newspaper notifying creditors of the deceased’s passing and that claims on the estate may be filed. Then you wait six months, hopefully. The forms and trips to the court finally stop and the case can be closed. An AARP nationwide study found that probate proceedings cost 5-10% of the estate’s value. Shockingly, with proper planning this entire process can be completely avoided with the right attorney. Choose wisely.
Each case and county court is different. Some of the length is based on the type and amount of assets involved. At a minimum, it takes around six months, and the average length is about 11 months. That being said, it could take multiple years if you run into problems. Choose your attorney wisely.
Any assets owned and titled in the name of the decedent at death will probably need to be probated. So be careful and plan ahead because that includes all assets passing via your Will too.