![](IMAGES/logo.png) |
![](IMAGES/TITLE_BAR2.jpg) |
![HOME](IMAGES/Home_tag.png)
![About Us](IMAGES/About_tag.png)
![Latest News](IMAGES/News_tag.png)
![Resources](IMAGES/Resources_tag.png)
![FAQ](IMAGES/FAQ_tag.png)
|
![](IMAGES/Probate_bar.jpg) |
|
Probate is the court process following a person's death that includes:
- Proving the authenticity of the deceased person's will
- Appointing someone to handle the deceased person's affairs
- Identifying and inventorying the deceased person's property
- Paying debts and taxes
- Identifying heirs, and
- Distributing the deceased person's property according to the will or, if there is no will, according to state law.
Formal court-supervised probate is a costly, time-consuming process -- a windfall for lawyers -- which is best avoided if possible.
|
QUICK LINKS
The following are some helpful quick links to the definitions of commonly used Estate Planning terms:
• Wills
• Trusts
• Probate
• Power of Attorney
• Advance Health Care Directive
• Conservator
• Special Needs Trust
|
|