9 Tips When Choosing The Best Probate Attorney You Can Trust

Did one of your loved ones pass on? Aside from the ceremonials, the grief of losing someone in the family, and the accounting of all the inevitable costs of hospital bills and funeral needs, you will also need to find a probate attorney, Tyler, Texas. This is necessary when there are inheritances to talk about. While it is not always necessary to hire a probate lawyer, most of the time it is most convenient.

Check whether you need one

Look at the probate process first. Do you think it is something you and your family can take care of on your own? Is there someone neutral enough to administer the payment of debts, release of inheritances according to the wishes stated on the will, and to liquidate the funds from the sale of the property if this is the wish of everyone concerned? Usually, when there is no agreement settled from all parties involved, the services of a probate attorney is necessary.

Check whether the fees are right

Look at how much and how often the probate attorney is charging. Once you have decided that the services of a probate attorney, Tyler, Texas is necessary, you must consider how you are paying for the service. Will you be splitting the cost with everyone involved in the probate process? Will you be getting the fees from the liquidated inheritances? Is it better to pay a fixed rate or would you prefer a fair percentage of your inheritance after all the taxes and debts have been paid of?

Look into attorney’s credentials

It is always necessary for you to look at the credentials of your probate attorney. While not necessary, getting a probate attorney that specializes in probate cases can be advantageous. This is something you must look into especially if you foresee possible conflicts in the splitting of the inheritance.

Look at your unique conditions

Are all beneficiaries in good terms, initially? Do you foresee any conflicts because of what is stated in the will if there is a will? Are there special cases like a beneficiary needing more financial support because of developmental problems or handicaps? These are things that need to be settled fairly, and this is only possible if there is a neutral party involved.

Is there a will?

A will can be very helpful in making sure that the assets are distributed according to the deceased’s wishes. Of course, a will in itself won’t be helpful if it was written under duress or against the will of the deceased. If you would like to make sure that the distribution of inheritances is fair and that the will was written without compromising the real wishes of the deceased, then a probate lawyer would be helpful. It is beneficial to choose a probate lawyer that has handled a similar case in the past.

Are there debts to pay?

If the deceased left debts to be paid off, then it is best done by getting the funds from the inheritance. This can be a grueling task if you are the property administrator. In this case, it’s good to hire a probate attorney, Tyler, Texas who specialized in this area of probate law.

Look into the process

If the process of probate is simple and fast, there might not be any need for a probate lawyer. However, if you are looking at a more complicated setup, it’s good to hire a probate attorney who is used to ironing out complications in the probate process.

Choose someone neutral

Even the most peaceful families can be in conflict during the probate process. When properties and inheritances are in question, it can bring out the worst of people. A probate attorney neutralizes the playing field by offering objective and fair settlements.

Think about the interest of all beneficiaries

Inheritances are not always distributed equally for various reasons. One such situation is if one of the beneficiaries will be needing more support than others. It is during these special cases when a probate lawyer is needed. So in choosing your probate lawyer, you could ask his or her experience in dealing with cases like this.

Vance E. Hendrix is one of the most trusted probate attorneys in East Texas today. If you need a probate attorney, Tyler, Texas, contact our office to request a consultation.