When someone dies, families are often asked to make legal and financial decisions while they are still grieving. Our role is to bring structure to the process and help you understand what actually needs to happen next.
Not every estate follows the same path
The appropriate process depends on how property was owned, whether there is a Will, the types and values of assets, outstanding obligations, beneficiary designations, and other circumstances. Some estates require formal administration; others may qualify for a simpler procedure.
Opening the Estate
Review the Will and assets, identify the appropriate procedure, and prepare the filings needed to begin.
Administration
Help the personal representative understand deadlines, notices, inventories, accountings, distributions, and recordkeeping.
Property Issues
Address real estate, vehicles, title questions, deeds, and property that may pass differently from probate assets.
Closing the Estate
Work toward a documented, orderly completion of the administration once obligations have been addressed.
A clearer process during a difficult time
Estate administration can involve the Clerk of Superior Court, financial institutions, creditors, heirs, beneficiaries, tax matters, and property transfers. We help organize those moving parts so the personal representative knows what has been completed, what remains, and what documentation should be retained.
It can be worthwhile to review how the decedent's assets were titled and whether a simplified procedure may be available.