Probate & Trust Administration
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The probate process and trust administration
After the loss of a loved one, your focus should be on grieving, spending time with family and friends, and celebrating the life that was lost. You may also be responsible for making hard decisions for you and your family, such as when a spouse or close family member dies.
However, the law tends to make this process more difficult for the surviving family members and friends. When a person dies, their assets must be transferred to new owners. This transfer does not happen on its own. Rather, there are formal legal processes in place to ensure that this transfer occurs according to law. These legal processes are called probate and trust administration.
Probate and trust administration can be very complicated, and the process can be very stressful for surviving family members. That is when having an experienced probate and trust administration attorney by your side can help. At Ryan & Lynch Law, we advocate for individuals and families through both processes.
How An Attorney Can Help
For non-lawyers, the probate process can feel like a tangled mess. There are a number of laws that apply to the transfer of assets after a death. An experienced probate attorney can explain the process in detail and advise you on your role within the process, providing guidance and peace of mind. In addition, our law firm will help you handle all of the legal issues and decisions that you are responsible for - whether they are based on the deceased’s estate plan or state law.
If you are named as an executor of an estate, for example, you will be primarily responsible for administering the estate during the probate process. If you are an heir or beneficiary, on the other hand, you may also take an active role in monitoring the probate process to make sure that any assets or property of the deceased are protected. Whatever your interest may be in ensuring the wishes of the deceased are carried out, Ryan & Lynch Law is here to help. We assist personal representatives in all steps of the probate and trust administration process, including:
- Valuing the estate
- Managing and liquidating assets as appropriate
- Paying taxes and other debts
- Locating beneficiaries
- Closing and opening bank accounts
- Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
- Hiring professionals and experts when necessary
- Creating a plan of action to probate the estate fairly and expeditiously
- Filing the will with the probate court in Michigan or Wisconsin
Handling probate disputes
When disputes occur, we help to successfully represent your interests. We have the extensive knowledge to challenge invalid wills or to defend valid wills against the improper assertions of dissatisfied beneficiaries. Skillful mediators and litigators, our attorneys can negotiate between beneficiaries to preserve relationships or fastidiously pursue your rights in court when necessary.
Seeking Legal Help For Probate & Trust Administration
For over 40 years, families have trusted Ryan & Lynch Law to guide them through the probate process and trust administration. Whether you are responsible for administering an estate, have questions about the probate process, or need to challenge a will, we can help. You can get started today by calling our Iron Mountain, MI law firm at (906) 774-3808.
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