The attorneys at Federal attorney generals of laws are experienced when it comes to settling estates. We help resolve claims and distribute the deceased person’s property under a valid Will, or through intestate (no Will) succession.
Probate is a legal process whereby a court oversees the distribution of assets left by a deceased person’s Will or according to intestate laws if there is no Will.
Probate is not always required. If a person dies leaving few assets, these items can often be distributed among the rightful beneficiaries without the supervision of the court. Or, if the deceased owned everything in co-ownership or with designated beneficiaries, for instance all bank accounts were joint with rights of survivorship (with a spouse or children) and then those assets pass automatically to the surviving co-owner or designated beneficiaries.
Probate is most often necessary to: Clear title to land, stocks and bonds, or large bank or savings and loan accounts that were held in the name of the deceased person only, to collect debts owed to the deceased person, or to settle disputes between beneficiaries or heirs.