Bethesda, MD Probate Lawyers
Bethesda, MD Probate Lawyers
If you are visiting our page because you have recently lost a loved one, let us first extend our condolences. Losing someone you love is never easy, and dealing with a complicated legal process on top of the grief you are feeling can seem insurmountable. If this describes your current experience, compassionate legal guidance from our Bethesda probate lawyers can make a difference.
At Z Family Law, we can guide you through the probate process and take most of the burden off your plate so you can concentrate on grieving your loved one and honoring their life. Probate is not a simple process, but we can make it easier so you don’t have it weighing on your mind.
Reach out to schedule a free initial case evaluation and learn more about how we can help guide you through this difficult period, both legally and emotionally.
A Short Probate Crash Course
Probate is the legal process that occurs after the death of a person in which the estate of the deceased is valuated and divided. If your loved one left a will, the probate process validates the will and distributes the assets accordingly. If there is not a will, assets are distributed according to a formula prescribed by Maryland law. If an executor is not named in the will, one is appointed by the court.
One common misconception about probate is that if there is a will, the assets do not need to be probated. This is not the case. Although some types of assets are exempt from probate, assets included in the will must still go through the legal process. On the other hand, assets secured by trusts go directly to beneficiaries according to the rules of the trust.
Probate is not the same for every estate. There are different types of probate and they generally apply based on the size of the estate in question. If your loved one left behind a smaller estate, for example, you can do small estate probate, which should not take as much time as probate for a larger estate. It’s important to ask our Bethesda probate lawyers about your options for your specific circumstances.
How Can Our Bethesda Probate Lawyers Help?
Probate is not an easy process. If you are the executor of an estate, for example, you might run into issues for which you need competent legal guidance. It is likely you will need help with many of the steps of probate, including valuing the assets, filing petitions, filling out paperwork, communicating with creditors and beneficiaries, and so much more.
Probate is also a risky process. If you make mistakes, you open yourself up to the possibility of litigation. Mistakes can also halt or ruin the progress you have made, and it can open you to more costs, more time, and more paperwork.
Finally, competent legal guidance can save you from strife within your family. Probate can cause disagreements among beneficiaries, especially if there is concern over the abilities of the executor. Working with our Bethesda probate lawyers ensures that there is no room for effective legal challenges, which helps discourage in-fighting in families.
Z Family Law Can Help You Through Probate
At Z Family Law, you are not just a case number to us. We recognize that you have individual needs and, with a legal process like probate, compassionate guidance is key. We do not want you to have to worry about legalities while you are busy honoring your passed on loved one; rather, we take care of the hard parts so you don’t have to shoulder the burden alone! Reach out to us for a free case evaluation and learn more about how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is intestate succession?
Intestate succession is the legal process that is triggered when a person dies without a will. Intestate succession laws determine how assets will be fairly administered by the courts in the absence of a will.
What happens if an invalid will is submitted?
If a will is, for whatever reason, determined to not be legally valid, the courts will have two options: either they can proceed with the terms outlined in the invalid will or they can liquify the estate according to intestate succession laws. The specific circumstances of the invalid will along with the opinion of the presiding judge will help determine which option is the right course of action.
Do I legally have to serve as the executor of the estate if I am named in the will?
No. If you choose not to serve as the estate’s executor, the court will appoint a qualified executor in your place.