Estate Planning & Probate
Probate - Estate Planning and Legal Wills - Attorneys near Dallas and Fort Worth
Mourning the passing of a loved one should be a time that brings families and friends closer together, but in some unfortunate cases it erupts into bitter dispute over the property of the deceased. Like divorce and child custody negotiation, death is one of those family situations that bring strong emotion to the fore. For this reason, it is important to ease the probate process through estate planning and comprehensive legal wills. Attorneys in the Dallas / Fort Worth area at The Carroll Law Firm have the extensive experience necessary for superior estate planning.
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process of cataloging and distributing a deceased person's estate. There are three main steps to the process. First, a personal representative (usually named in the will) catalogs and collects the deceased's assets. Second, the personal representative uses the assets to pay any outstanding debts and taxes that apply to the estate. Finally, in the absence of any outstanding disputes or claims on the estate, the personal representative distributes the property to the beneficiaries named in the will.
Probate is often an informal process, but in cases in which the deceased's will is problematic or in which claims are brought against the estate by those who feel that they are entitled to greater shares of the assets, the probate case may be formally tried in a probate court.
The Importance of Estate Planning
Without planning, the probate process can be long and costly. Attorneys in some cases negotiate for months before reaching resolutions. Good estate planning, including legal wills drafted with the aid of qualified attorneys like those serving Dallas and Fort Worth at The Carroll Law Firm, is the key to potentially sparing loved ones a long and painful probate dispute that will undoubtedly lessen the value of the estate.
Contact The Carroll Law Firm
The Carroll Law Firm's estate planning and probate attorneys draft legal wills for clients in Dallas and Fort Worth. Our attorneys are experienced in every aspect of probate law. Planning ahead is the best way to ensure your family's security. Contact The Carroll Law Firm now to begin planning for the future.
