Probate Administration Lawyer in El Paso, TX
To effectively manage and distribute your loved one’s assets when they pass away, it must go through the probate process. A Will must be filed in court to begin the probate process. If your loved one left a Will with detailed instructions or passed away without one, The Law Office of Steve Ortega, PLLC, can assist with the probate administration process. A grieving family member shouldn’t have to face legal issues that are complex and challenging; hiring a lawyer to help through the process is the best way to go.
Administering Your Loved One’s Assets After Death
A person who plans how their assets will be distributed and handled when they pass away can be done by a Will or Trust. Executing the wishes left in the person's will that passed away is more complex and not straightforward. It requires hiring a lawyer to ensure the process of distributing the assets is completed correctly. If a person passed away intestate (without a Will), the process is even more complex. A lawyer will help the executor or administrator with the probate administration process. The process entails dealing with complex issues like collecting the loved one’s assets, payment of debts, estate taxes, obtaining titles, and administering to several heirs and beneficiaries. The estate administrator does not need to be a lawyer; the heirs agree upon the administrator.
What responsibilities does the estate administrator have?
Once the court qualifies the administrator, they can take possession of the deceased’s property. Their responsibilities entail managing the money, pay any debts, and distribute the assets to the identified heirs listed in the Will or according to court orders.
The difference between independent and dependent administration
If there is an independent administrator, they can sell assets, pay debts, transfer property, and make decisions without the need for court approval. Dependent administrators must have court permission to proceed. The process involves drafting legal documents and court hearings before a probate judge and could take longer. Since the dependent administration process can be complex and overwhelming, The Law Office of Steve Ortega, PLLC, can help assist the administrator throughout the process.
Probate Administration Key Terms:
Intestate: When someone passes away without leaving a Will.
Testator: Legal term for a person who left a written will before passing away.
Estate Administrator: The appointed person responsible for executing the deceased person’s will.
Estate Taxes: Taxes that must be paid when a property is transferred after a person dies.
Is it necessary to hire a probate administration lawyer?
There can be significant legal risks if the probate administration process is done incorrectly. If you work with a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer, you can make certain the process will be done efficiently and correctly from the beginning. The Law Office of Steve Ortega, PLLC, has the knowledge and experience to get you through the probate administration process. Contact our office today if you have any questions; we are here to help.
