When someone passes away, the assets of that person should get disbursed as per state laws. The proceeding should carry forward in the directions that the deceased would have put forth while alive and stated in the will. A probate lawyer’s job is to guide executors of the will or estate’s beneficiaries through the probate process.
From identifying assets to distributing inheritances and assets, the portable attorney does all the fundamentals. But hiring a legal associate can be a daunting task. Thus, by asking these questions, you can make the overall job a little less complicated. Let’s explore:
Q1: What areas do you practice?
It is better to hire an advocate who can draw their focus on the estate planning job. The probate lawyer San Antonio TX should also have experience in working in other areas like real estate and probate, resolution of wills, and end of life’s plans. As a legal professional, he might have other areas of practice with a renowned law firm. An attorney who deals with these matters can guide you through complicated probate procedures expediently.
Q2: What potential issues does the attorney see in your case?
The legal consultant can point out several issues that require legal assistance in your case. If there are chances that the will might get contested, ensure you tell your attorney about the matter. If there’s a debt, you can consult the matter with the probate attorney to deal with it.
Q3: How does the attorney assess the fees?
Given the probate’s costly and lengthy process, it is really important to ask definite questions to the attorney. When there are flat fees, you can ensure you question the attorney regarding the possibility of incurring fees. This way, it will not be a surprise later on.
When the fee becomes hourly, you should ask about the number of hours your attorney estimates to spend on the case. A couple of attorneys also charge a whopping percentage of total assets. In the larger estates, it might be inefficient & result in higher costs.
Q4: What is a definite time frame in which the lawyer estimates your case to get resolved?
The probate process is extremely expensive, time-consuming, and particularly intimidating. Once the details of your estate get reviewed, the process becomes more daunting. This is where the job of a proficient and talented probate lawyer should help clients.
The attorney should be capable of estimating the time required for the completion of the process. In addition to this, the lawyer should also answer the questions drawn out in the process. It might become more expensive for the clients to proceed with the legal payments. It would help if you could ask about when the lawyer can promise or estimate you about your case to get resolved.
Dealing with the funeral of a loved one is painful. And handling these nitty-gritty tasks is more frustrating once your loved one passes away! A lawyer who can think rationally can help you in the matter.
