In many cases when a loved one passes away, it is necessary to meet with an estate attorney to discuss how best to proceed to ensure your loved one’s affairs are wrapped up appropriately.
Often, this process requires an estate to be opened and the formal process of probate to occur.
During an estate consult we often discuss the steps of opening an estate, probating a Will, how an individual’s estate will be disbursed if there is no will, as well as how to best go about wrapping up the decedent’s affairs.
Initial estate consultations are utilized to discuss what all assets the decedent had at the time of death, what all assets are probate property versus what assets transfer automatically to potential joint owners, what assets are taxable and what remaining expenses and/or debts need to be paid.
It is helpful if a client obtains a death certificate prior to an estate consultation, and in addition, brings with them to the consultation the Last Will and Testament of the decedent, any documentation of assets owned by the decedent, as well as any outstanding bills or expenses paid on behalf of the estate, such as funeral or final medical bills.
All of this information can assist the attorney in providing proper legal advice and advising the client on how best to proceed.
At Bononi & Company we help our clients navigate through all the steps from beginning to end, ensuring everything is handled properly with ease, and working to make what we understand to be a very difficult time, be just a little bit easier.
If you have any questions about the topic discussed in this article, or any estate planning matter, please give us a call at Bononi & Company 724-832-2499.