PA. Probate and Estate Administration

Your loved one has died. While the grief hangs heavy and the memories linger like a warm cocoon, the task of dealing with probate and estate administration is just beginning. Do you feel overwhelmed? It's normal to feel overwhelmed as the responsibility can be demanding. Your loved one trusted you enough to settle their intimate financial affairs. No wonder you're overwhelmed. So, where do you begin? Consider permitting the Pennsylvania probate and estate administration lawyers at Welch Gold & Siegel to be your guiding support.

What is probate?

Probate is the process by which legal title of property is transferred from the estate of the person who died estate to his/her beneficiaries.

Where there's a will, there's a way for the probate court to determine if the will is valid and if there are any objections. The probate court will order that creditors be paid and supervises the process to assure that property remaining is distributed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Will.

If a person dies without a Will, the probate court appoints a person to receive all claims against the estate, pay creditors, and then distribute all remaining property in accordance with the laws of the state.

Everyone reading this should have a Will but for some people it's obviously too late.

The cost of probate is either set by state law or by practice and custom per community. The typical cost to probate an estate costs between 3 to 7 percent of the total estate value.

Questions about probate & estate administration

If you don't know the answers to these questions, please consider contacting a probate lawyer about the probate and estate administration process. It will save you much aggravation and doubt.

• What assets go through probate?
• What if the deceased doesn't have a will?
• What are the responsibilities of an Executor?
• How long does the probate process last?
• How do I collect the assets?
• Who pays the taxes and files tax returns?
• Who pays the debts and expenses?
• Who distributes the assets to beneficiaries?
• Who does the formal accounting?
• What if the heirs protest?
• Is there an inheritance tax?

Administering an estate is a complicated process; don't tread that path alone. If you're unsure where to being to administer an estate, trust the experienced Pennsylvania lawyers at Welch, Gold & Siegel to help you carry out your loved one's last wishes. Contact us today.