Probate & Estate Administration Information Center

Philadelphia Estate Planning Lawyers

At the law offices of Arlene Glenn Simolike, Esq. and Associates, P.C. our attorneys assist clients with will probate and estate administration issues, such as inheritance tax minimization, and other implications, property disputes between relatives, sale of a home or other valuable property, and the distribution of assets. Our lawyers will ensure that the provisions of your will are carried out. We will assist your executor or act as executors of your estate upon request. In cases where there is no will, our lawyers will oversee the fair and equitable distribution of assets amongst family members according to the law. For almost 30 years, families in the Philadelphia area have trusted us, and we work hard every day to ensure we continue to earn that trust.

For more information about our probate and estate administration practice, contact the law offices of Arlene Glenn Simolike, Esq. and Associates, P.C. today. Call our office to schedule an appointment with a lawyer.

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; paying and collecting debts; filing and paying estate taxes; and distributing any remaining assets to beneficiaries. An attorney experienced in probate and estate administration can help simplify this complicated process. If you need help in the administration of an estate, call an attorney in your area today.

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The Probate Process

Probate is the court process used to determine the validity of a will and oversee the payment of creditors and 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 proscribed by each state for carrying out the process.

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Role of the Executor

An executor is the person named by the creator of the will (the testator) to carry out the terms and provisions of his or her will. In addition to locating documents left by the testator (i.e., wills, trusts, deeds, etc.) and notifying Social Security, pension providers, annuity providers, and other entities of the death, the executor has numerous other legal responsibilities.

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Avoiding Probate

Assets disposed of outside the probate process are part of the non-probate estate. Since 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 in order to save their loved ones from the difficulties associated with going through the probate courts.

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Will Contests

The fact that a person (the decedent) leaves a will does not guarantee that the decedent's 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 challenge may be brought by anyone with an interest in the will who believes the document is invalid in some way. A will contest is an action challenging the validity of the will and is commonly governed by state statutes.

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