The last thing to cross anyone’s mind during the subsequent grieving period is how to distribute the deceased’s estate. However, you’ll inevitably have to discuss the deceased’s estate at some point and whether to probate or not. Probate is the process through which the court legally oversees the estate transfer to the legitimate beneficiaries.
Most people know that a will clearly defines specific assets, such as a house, car, or stocks, which certain people inherit after a family member is deceased. A valid will is the core reference of how assets will be split, but it undergoes the probate process. However, probate is usually a costly and lengthy process. However, there are ways to undertake the process fast and cost-effectively. Here are some simple tips on how you can speed up the probate process:
1. Hire an Experienced Estates Attorney
Although it might be tempting to try to engage in the probate process and estate administration on your own, finding an experienced probate lawyer can help make the process much more efficient. An attorney’s guidance is crucial to steer you in the right direction. Since they are accustomed to this kind of daily routine, you can be sure to complete the estate administration incredibly faster. Most attorneys will often have extensive experience in dealing with families and personal representatives and helping you significantly shorten the probate process. Your representative will handle the collection of assets, evaluation, and prioritizing of claims while remaining accountable to the court on all distributions.
2. Do your research
It’s not easy to effectively speed up the probate process if you don’t know what to expect. You should do research and try to at least understand what to expect. For instance, if you find out that your bank takes 10 to 15 days to process funds release, you should not expect your solicitor to have it in three days. On the contrary, if it has taken 20 days, you know there is a problem and can confidently ask the right questions. This understanding will help you avoid frustration throughout the probate process.
3. Start probate as soon as possible
The earlier you initiate the probate process, the sooner you can expect to finalize the estate administration. However, there is no general rule on how long to wait before you commence the probate process. It’s entirely up to the respective executor to decide the ideal time to initiate estate administration. Executors will often start to look into probate immediately after the funeral. However, some executors may prefer to start earlier, once the death is registered and they’ve obtained a death certificate. In the case of multiple executors, remember always to maintain an effective communication channel to ensure all executors submit their forms on time.
Endnote
Navigating through the estate administration process can no doubt be a confusing and potentially stressful process. However, with the help of a good law firm, you can expect that their professional probate lawyer will help you minimize the stress of dealing with the complexity involved and speed up the probate process. Follow the above simple tips to make the estate administration process much faster.
