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Best Probate Attorney: 10 Qualities To Look For

Best Probate Attorney Qualities To Look For

When you lose a loved one, dealing with the estate and everything that comes with it can be tough. The responsibilities and stressors of the probate process are often something that many people dread, but with the help of a skilled attorney, this process doesn’t have to be as difficult as most think. Fortunately, there are attorneys out there who specialize in this field, making their services perfect for those who are looking to ease the burden of dealing with an estate. When searching for a probate attorney, there are several qualities you should look for when determining whether or not they’re right for your case. These tips will help you find the best probate attorney for your needs.

10 Qualities of the Best Probate Attorney

Honesty and Transparency

Honesty and transparency are two of the most important qualities to look for when selecting the best probate attorney. You don’t want to hire someone who is going to deceive you or be secretive about things that you need to know. An attorney who is honest and transparent will always be upfront with you about all aspects of the case and will provide you with all the information you need to make informed decisions. A dishonest or secretive attorney can create issues for your case, create mistrust between you and your lawyer, and cause you to miss important deadlines and facts that could affect your case. If a potential attorney displays these qualities during your initial meeting with them, you need to walk away from the situation immediately.

Expertise

Another important quality to look for in the best probate attorney is expertise. You want to hire someone who has experience with the field, who has dealt with many cases like yours, and who has the skills to deal with them effectively. This will make the process go much more smoothly and allow you to rest easy knowing that you have someone on your side who knows exactly what they’re doing. For example, if you need to prove that your loved one was incompetent before their death, the attorney you hire needs to be qualified to handle that type of case. If they’re not, they’ll be unable to provide you with the assistance you need to move forward with the case, which can lead to major issues down the road. Look for someone who is qualified to handle your case so that you don’t run into any problems along the way.

Reputation and Track Record

Another important quality to look for in the best probate attorney is a good reputation and track record. You want to hire someone with a solid reputation for providing quality services and achieving positive results for their clients. You’ll also want to see what is written about them online. If a potential attorney has a poor reputation or negative reviews online, you’ll want to steer clear of them. You don’t want to hire someone who is likely to cause more problems than they solve, which is very likely if they have a poor reputation. A probate attorney with a solid reputation is one who has dealt with many cases like yours and is likely to get the job done right.

Responsiveness

When searching for the best probate attorney, look for someone who is responsive. You want to hire someone who will respond to your emails and phone calls in a timely manner. This shows that they are organized, responsible, and serious about the work they do. A responsive attorney will also be able to get back to you quickly when you have a question for them. If you hire an unresponsive attorney, you may find yourself waiting days or even weeks for a response. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you have important questions that need to be answered. A responsive attorney will get back to you as soon as possible and make sure you have everything you need to move forward.

Willingness to Listen

Another important quality to look for in the best probate attorney is a willingness to listen. You want to hire a lawyer who is willing to listen to what you have to say and who wants to understand your goals for the case. This will help you to work more effectively with your attorney, which will make the process much easier and less stressful. An attorney who doesn’t listen to you is one who isn’t interested in what you have to say. This can lead to poor communication between you and your attorney, which can cause major issues for your case. An attorney who is willing to listen to you is someone who is interested in your opinion and goals for the case. This will make the process much easier for everyone involved.

Accessibility

Another important quality to look for in the best probate attorney is accessibility. When you choose to hire a probate attorney, you want to make sure that they are easily accessible. This means that you should be able to reach them via phone, email, and in person with ease. It can be incredibly frustrating to try to reach your attorney and have to wait around for days or weeks before they get back to you. This only makes the process more stressful, which is something you want to avoid. An accessible attorney will always be quick to respond to your requests and will make sure you always have access to them when you need it.

Communication Skills

Another important thing to look for in the best probate attorney is their communication skills. You want to hire someone who has strong communication skills so that you can effectively work with them throughout the process. This can include everything from reading you the instructions from the court, to writing an effective and compelling letter to the judge, to communicating with your family members. Strong communication skills will make the process much smoother for everyone involved and will help you to avoid future problems as well. Communication is an important part of the process because it helps you to understand everything that is happening, which in turn allows you to make informed decisions.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is another quality that you want to look for in the best probate attorney. This refers to the ability to control one’s emotions and understand the emotions of others. A probate attorney who has high emotional intelligence will be able to deal with their clients’ difficult emotions and make the process as easy as possible for everyone involved. An attorney who has low emotional intelligence may be unable to deal with their client’s emotions and may become frustrated when dealing with them. This could lead to unprofessional conduct, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. A probate attorney with high emotional intelligence is someone who is able to understand their client’s emotions and get past them to help the process move along as smoothly as possible.

Passion for the Job

Another important quality to look for in the best probate attorney is a passion for the job. You want to hire someone who is passionate about helping people and who enjoys the work they do. This will make the attorney more likely to excel at their job and get the results you want, which is something that can only be helpful in your case. A probate attorney who is passionate about their job will be able to deal with the challenges of the job and get past the difficult emotions that come with it. They will be able to easily deal with difficult clients and make the process as easy as possible for everyone involved. This will make the process much easier for you and will help you to move through it much more quicker.

Compassion for Clients

The final quality to look for in the best probate attorney is compassion for clients. You want to hire someone who cares about their clients and who wants to make their experience as easy as possible. A probate attorney who has compassion for their clients is one who will work their hardest to make sure that you get the best results possible. A probate attorney who doesn’t care about their clients is one who only cares about winning the case and collecting their paycheck. This is something that is likely to cause issues for the case, and it will make the process more stressful for everyone involved. A probate attorney who has compassion for their clients is someone who wants to win their case, but also wants to make sure the client gets what they deserve as well.

Read more probate tips here in relation to debts.

Need the Best Probate Attorney? We Can Help

To ensure that your assets go to the right place, contact Lewman Law for the best probate attorney in Livermore and a consultation for a simple will, trust, or other estate planning vehicle. If you’ve been named the executor of an estate and need legal assistance, you can also request a consultation with the best probate attorney by clicking this link.

Filed under Legal Services

California Inheritance Law as Explained by Lawyers for Inheritance

When you think about estate planning, the first things that probably come to mind are wills, trusts, and other documents that help you pass your assets on to the people and organizations you choose after you’re gone, which is why lawyers for inheritance are needed for this one. But there’s more than that to estate planning. After all, what good is transferring assets if they can be taken by someone else after you die? Fortunately, there are a number of ways to protect your assets so they can only go to someone of your choosing.  As with any legal topic, inheritance and estate planning laws in California are dense and complex. To understand how the right planning can protect your assets from being seized by someone else after your death, here is an introduction to some of the key concepts in California inheritance law.

Taxes and inheritance law are important

Despite the absence of estate or inheritance taxes in California, handling an estate is not a simple matter. California inheritance law still has quite a few obligations for the estate and personal representative. Here is an overview.

There is no estate or inheritance tax in California, but the estate still has to file tax returns.

A will can be used to structure California inheritance law to your advantage.

Having a valid last will and testament in place makes administering an estate a lot easier. In California, a will is considered valid if it names beneficiaries, designates an executor/personal representative, and specifies a guardian for any children.

A probate case must be opened if the estate comprises life insurance, retirement benefits, or real or personal property of any value. If the estate is valued under $150,000 and has been in existence for at least forty days since the death of the person, an Affidavit for Transfer of Personal Property may be filed. Once the affidavit has been issued, the custodian of the deceased’s property (for example, a bank) must relinquish it.

If you die without a will in California, your estate will be distributed according to the California Probate Code

A person who dies without a valid will is said to have died intestate. The court will appoint an executor to administer the estate and pay the estate’s debts and expenses. In addition, the court will divide the estate’s assets according to California inheritance laws.

During a marriage, all property and assets acquired are considered community property, and all debts incurred are likewise considered community debts. For the purposes of this article, a domestic partner is considered a spouse, and a domestic partnership is considered a marriage. (Community property refers to all property and assets acquired during a marriage.)

During a marriage, if one spouse receives inheritances or gifts and keeps them separate, keeping them distinct from marital funds, they are considered to be separate property. Assets acquired before the marriage or after a divorce are also considered to be separate property.

The California inheritance laws are comprehensive and complex, extending to uncles and aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as grandparents and other relatives. We will discuss the closest relatives here, although inheritance laws apply to a wide range of relatives. Half-siblings are treated the same as full siblings, for example.

If an individual dies with just a partner and no other related people, all the community and individual belongings are inherited. If a baby dies, his or her property (which is all individual property since there is no ‘community’) passes first to parents or siblings.

If a person dies with a spouse and children, the spouse inherits the decedent’s percentage of community property (all of which would then be in the spouse’s possession). If there is just one child, that child inherits one-half of the separate property; if there are multiple children, they receive two-thirds of the separate property in equal amounts. The remaining one-third or one-half of the separate property, in addition to the spouse’s inheritance, is inherited by the spouse.

When a person dies with a spouse and surviving parents (but no children), the decedent’s portion of community property and one-half of the separate property is inherited by the spouse. The parents receive the other half of the separate property if the decedent had surviving siblings but no surviving parents.

There are certain things to keep in mind

In the absence of near relations, the heirs are the subject’s aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents, great aunts and great uncles, cousins, and children, parents, and siblings who outlive the deceased’s spouse.

A child born in a marriage is considered to be the child of both spouses, regardless of the biological parentage. Even if a parent dies, the child still has the right to inherit, and if genetic material is extracted two years after the parent’s death and used to create a child (with permission being given while the parent was still alive), the parent is still considered to be the legal parent and the child has a right to inherit.

A relative conceived after the decedent died but born before the decedent died also has inheritance rights as described above.

Unless the court decides that an adoption would have taken place except for a legal technicality, step-parents, step-children, and foster children are not entitled to inherit. This is not always easy to establish.

A relative who deliberately murdered someone cannot inherit if the victim was deprived of inheritance rights. An undocumented immigrant, on the other hand, can inherit if he or she is related to the victim.

As a rule, life insurance policies, pensions, and other retirement accounts specify beneficiaries. When the beneficiary is named, the funds are passed directly to the beneficiary and are not part of the decedent’s estate. The estate may be named as a beneficiary, and, if the decedent died without a will, the funds would be distributed according to state guidelines or the decedent’s will.

Our Lawyers for Inheritance Can Help

To ensure that your assets go to the right place, contact our lawyers for inheritance here at Lewman Law for a consultation for a simple will, trust, or other estate planning vehicle. If you’ve been named the executor of an estate and need legal assistance, you can also request a consultation.

Filed under Legal Services

Need a Probate Attorney Near Me? Let Us Help Today

If you have plans to leave assets to someone after your death, or if you have been named as a beneficiary in another individual’s will, you will probably need the services of a probate attorney. Read on to learn about what a probate attorney near me can help you with today!

What Does a Probate Attorney Near Me Do?

Probate attorneys are experienced professionals who help individuals and their families go through the process of handling an estate after someone has passed on. These lawyers can help you navigate this complex process and protect your interests as needed. The role of a probate attorney is multifaceted. 

Depending on your personal situation and needs, an attorney may be able to offer general advice about making wills, trusts, and other documents that may assist in managing your assets during your lifetime; draw up those legal documents for you; act as your advocate within probate court; manage the final distribution of assets after all other final details have been finalized; and advise you on any tax liabilities that may arise from advising in this area. There are many considerations when choosing a probate lawyer, including experience with clients in similar situations, cost, location, and availability of service.

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process through which an estate is distributed following the death of an individual. An executor named in the deceased individual’s will often oversees this process and does not need the assistance of an attorney. If the estate is relatively small, if there is no will naming an executor, or if there is a dispute among family members about the terms of the will, an attorney may be beneficial to ensure that the process is carried out according to the law. 

During this process, an executor will deal with the applicable government agency, known as the probate court. This court is charged with managing the distribution of assets among the deceased person’s beneficiaries. These assets may include real estate, stocks, bonds, cars, and cash. When the probate court has finalized its process and distributed assets, it issues a “probate discharge.” As long as the terms of the will have been followed, this will allow beneficiaries to receive their share of the deceased person’s assets.

Who Can Benefit from a Probate Lawyer?

Anyone whose estate is likely to be valued at $100,000 or more could benefit from hiring a probate lawyer. While a will may be specific about how a person’s assets should be distributed after his or her death, it cannot dictate how probate will be handled. A probate lawyer can advise you on the best way to go about this process and assist you in making sure that everything is carried out according to the law. If you have valuable real estate, stocks, bonds, or other assets that will be part of your estate, it may be beneficial to hire a probate lawyer to help you create a will that names an executor who can oversee the probate process. In many cases, probate lawyers also assist with trusts, guardianships, and other issues.

How Does a Probate Attorney Help During the Probate Process?

If you need to go through probate, you will likely have to go to court. A probate attorney can help you navigate this process and make sure that all of your interests are protected. The courts may have specific rules regarding the way probate is handled in the area where your estate is located. A probate lawyer is familiar with these rules, and can guide you through the process. 

During this process, a probate attorney can help you with any of the following tasks: 

Drawing up documents: An attorney can help you create the documents that are needed to finalize the distribution of your estate. This can include drawing up a will, a trust, or other appropriate documents. 

Advising you about tax issues: The probate process will cause taxes to be due on your estate. A probate lawyer can help you understand how you should report these taxes and deal with any issues that may arise. 

Advocating for you in probate court: If there is a dispute among family members about the terms of a will, or if the estate is relatively small, probate court may be the appropriate venue for resolving this dispute. A probate attorney can help you navigate this process and make sure that your interests are represented. 

Managing the final distribution of assets: Once the probate court has finalized its process, the assets will be distributed according to the terms of the will or by the court if there is no will. A probate lawyer can help you manage this process so that all of the details are handled correctly.

Pros of Working With a Probate Attorney

Probate is a complex process that can be difficult to navigate on your own. An experienced probate lawyer can help you navigate this process with ease and make the most of your situation. 

Here are some advantages of working with a probate lawyer: 

– They understand the law – Probate lawyers go through specialized training that helps them understand the law and how it applies to your situation. This can make the process easier to navigate. 

– They have experience – A probate lawyer has probably helped many people through the probate process. They understand the many challenges that can come up and can help you navigate these challenges with ease. 

– They can help you understand your options – The process of creating and distributing an estate can be complex. A probate lawyer can help you understand the best way to handle these issues and make the best decisions for your situation. 

– They can help you manage expectations – The probate process can be slow because it is regulated by the government. A probate lawyer can help you understand how long the process is likely to take and help you manage your expectations. 

– They can protect your interests – The probate process can be complex and challenging. A probate lawyer can help you navigate these challenges and make sure that your interests are protected at every turn. 

– They can help you navigate complex issues – There are many complex issues associated with the probate process, including taxes, disputes among family members, and real estate issues. A probate lawyer can help you navigate these issues and make sure that nothing is missed.

How to Find the Right Attorney for Your Needs

When you are searching for a probate lawyer, you want to make sure that you find the right fit for your situation. 

There are several ways to find a probate lawyer, including: 

– Ask other people – If you know anyone who has had to go through the probate process, ask them which attorney they used. You can also ask other legal professionals to make recommendations. 

– Review online directories – There are several online directories that can help you find probate attorneys in your area. Many of these directories also allow you to filter results based on specific criteria, such as cost or location. 

– Hire an attorney referral service – Attorney referral services receive a fee when you hire an attorney through their service. However, many are worth the cost of their fee because they help you find a reputable attorney who specializes in your area of law. 

– Conduct an initial screening – Once you have a list of potential attorneys, conduct an initial screening to determine which ones are a good fit for you. You can do this by asking each attorney a few questions.

– Ask for a consultation – Once you have narrowed your list down to a few good candidates, arrange a consultation with each one. During this consultation, make sure to ask plenty of questions. 

– Be wary of scams – Unfortunately, fraud is common in the legal profession. Be wary of attorneys who offer to represent you with no upfront costs or who promise results that are too good to be true.

Get Expert Advice from Probate Attorney Near Me

If you have any further questions, or you would like to get started today, please contact Lewman Law now. We look forward to learning how we can help you and your loved ones.

Filed under Estate Planning, Legal Services, Probate Tips

Looking for an Estate Planning Attorney Near Me? How They Can Help

When you’re thinking about your future, your family, and your finances, it’s natural to wonder how you’ll protect your assets and your loved ones. Part of this might be wondering if there’s a way to protect your family from financial burdens and unknown risks in the future. An estate planning attorney near me can help you with these concerns and devise a plan to protect your loved ones and your assets. For more information, please review the article below.

What is an Estate Planning Attorney?

The term “Estate Planning” can be confusing to the average person. It seems like a lot of legal mumbo jumbo. So what is an estate planning attorney? An estate planning attorney is someone who specializes in helping individuals, couples, families, and businesses plan their financial affairs. 

Estate planning is the process of making sure that your assets are handled properly before you pass away. It involves having a clear understanding of your personal and financial goals, as well as your family’s future needs and expectations. An estate planning attorney can help guide you through the process.

Looking for an Estate Planning Attorney Near Me? How They Can Help

Pros of Estate Planning

The pros of estate planning can be summarized in three main points: 

-Estate planning helps you plan for your future  

-It prepares your family for what happens after your death  

-Estate planning is a necessity 

Estate planning allows you to take control of your future. For example, if you’ve built a successful business, you have the opportunity to choose how its sold or transferred to the next generation. You may also want to protect the value of your assets so they can pass on to your loved ones without being taxed heavily by the IRS. Whatever your goals are, estate planning gives you an opportunity to plan ahead of time and make sure that everything goes as planned.

How an Estate Planning Attorney Near Me Can Help You

Estate planning attorneys can advise you on all aspects of estate planning, including asset protection and estate administration. They will help you create a strategy to protect your family and your assets so your loved ones will be in a good position should anything happen to you. The main areas that an estate planning attorney can help with are:  

– Weaving together the right documents to protect your property  

– Providing legal advice on tax implications, trusts, and wills  

– Advising you on what type of trust best suits your needs  

– Drafting up documents like living wills or advanced healthcare directives  

– Taking care of financial matters like paying bills and settling debts after death

How an Estate Planning Attorney Can Protect Your Assets

An estate planning attorney can help you protect your assets, your family, and your business in the following ways:

– Estate Planning Attorneys can help you protect your assets by drafting wills and trusts that dictate how to distribute your wealth upon death. This can include specifying which people or charities will receive certain items, such as a house or car, in the event you pass away. It might also include setting up trusts for minor children until they reach adulthood.  

– They can also help you protect your family from financial burdens by naming guardians for minor children and setting up life insurance policies. An estate planning attorney can also provide guidance in case one spouse dies and the other is left with a small income to provide for their surviving spouse and children. 

– Your estate planning attorney could also help protect your business by drafting agreements that limit future liability if someone were to buy the company after you die.

How an Estate Planning Attorney Can Protect Your Loved Ones

An estate attorney can help you protect your loved ones by drafting a will, preparing for incapacity, implementing trusts and powers of attorney, and other measures. He or she can help you choose the right beneficiaries for your retirement funds and assets. An estate planning attorney can also help you create trusts, including charitable trusts that are designed to provide income to family members or designated charities. 

This type of lawyer is a specialist who helps clients protect their assets through wills and trusts. Estate attorneys draft wills and other legal documents to ensure that the person who created them has the ability to control where their property goes after they die. They also help families cope with unexpected events like accidents or illnesses by creating legally binding documents to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of if anything happens to you.

How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

When it comes to choosing an estate planning attorney, you want to take the time to find a good fit. Some factors you may want to consider are: 

Qualifications

When choosing an estate planning attorney, it’s important to find someone that’s qualified. While there are many legal aspects involved in the process, such as drafting a will or trust, you need to first find someone that’s knowledgeable on taxes and other financial matters. 

Flexibility

It’s also important to find an attorney who can work with your schedule. You most likely have a demanding job or other obligations that may make it difficult for you to meet during business hours. When you choose an estate-planning lawyer, make sure they offer evening and weekend appointments. That way you don’t have to take time off of work or book travel just to see them!  

Reviews

One thing you should do when looking for the best estate planning attorney is to check reviews online. This way, you can get a good idea of what people’s experiences are and whether or not they recommend the lawyer. You’ll also be able to see what other clients think about their experience with the lawyer.

Asking Questions

It’s important to ask questions of a potential lawyer. For example, you might want to find out if they have experience in your specific area of concern (e.g., estate planning). You may also want to know how often they meet with clients, and whether or not they offer face-to-face consultations.

If you already know what you need and are looking for a lawyer to help you, ask them if they can help. For example, if you want to set up your will, find an attorney who specializes in wills. They should be able to tell you that right away. If they can’t help you specifically, they might recommend someone else.

Availability to Meet

When you first call or email an attorney’s office, a receptionist will likely answer the phone or email. You should ask them if the attorney is willing to meet with you for a free consultation before you commit to anything. If they are not willing to meet with you, this could be a red flag.

Conclusion

When it comes to estate planning, the decisions you make can have a huge impact on your loved ones and your legacy. An estate lawyer can help by providing you with counsel, legal documents, and filing services. We hope this guide has helped you choose an estate planning attorney and informed you on how they can help protect you and your loved ones.

Connect with an Estate Planning Attorney Near Me

If you have any further questions, or you would like to get started today, please contact us now. We look forward to learning how we can help you and your loved ones.

Filed under Estate Planning, financial planning, Legal Services