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Frequently Asked Questions About Probate And Estate Administration

Q: What is probate?

A: In general, probate is the court procedure by which a will’s validity is proved, assets collected, creditors paid and the remaining assets distributed to beneficiaries under the will.

Q: What is a will contest?

A: A will contest is a legal action that challenges the validity of a will and/or the terms of the will. Will contests typically involve allegations that a will was inadequately executed, invalidated by a later will or was the result of forgery or undue influence.

A will contest can result in a significant delay in the distribution of a loved one’s assets, and can also be expensive. The costs of a will contest are paid out of the estate, which may significantly deplete the available funds. If you are concerned that a will may be subject to a will contest, contact an experienced probate and estate administration attorney right away.

With more than 20 years of experience practicing law, attorney Mary C. LaGrone has the skills, knowledge, and efficiency to handle complex probate and estate administration issues. Our Tennessee estate administration attorney, Mary C. LaGrone, assists clients with a variety of probate matters, including conservatorships, guardianships, valid wills and will contests, trusts and other issues involved in the probate or estate administration process.

Probate matters can be very complex and overwhelming without the assistance of a skilled attorney. Our probate attorney has handled many complex probate situations and understands Tennessee probate law. We have provided the following information as an overview of probate and estate administration. For more information or for experienced assistance, contact our Nashville probate lawyer today.

Probate And Estate Administration – An Overview

Estate administration refers to the process of probating the estate of a decedent, which generally includes collecting, inventorying and appraising assets; gathering and paying debts; filing and paying estate taxes; and distributing any remaining assets to beneficiaries. An experienced probate and estate administration attorney from Mary C. LaGrone in Nashville, Tennessee, can help simplify this complicated process. If you need help in the administration of an estate, call The Law Office of Mary C. LaGrone today.

The Probate Process

Probate is the court process used to determine the validity of a will and oversee the payment of creditors and the distribution of estate assets. Even if there is no valid will at the time of death, the estate will still go through the probate procedure. Since probate is regulated by state laws, there are specific procedures prescribed by each state for carrying out the process.

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Role Of The Executor

An executor is a person named by the creator of the will (the testator) to carry out the terms and provisions of the will. In addition to locating important documents and notifying Social Security, pension providers, annuity providers and other entities of the death, the executor has numerous other legal responsibilities.

Avoiding Probate

Assets disposed of outside the probate process are part of the nonprobate estate. Because a probate proceeding is not required, these assets are distributed more quickly to the appropriate beneficiaries. Many people seek out these assets and ownership models to save their loved ones from the difficulties associated with going through probate.

Will Contests

The fact that a person leaves a will does not guarantee that her or his property will be distributed according to the will’s terms. A court generally must provide an opportunity to allow others to object to the will, and a legal challenge, called a will contest, may be brought by anyone with an interest in the will who believes it is invalid.