Guidance Through The Probate Process
Probate refers to the process of validating a will after someone passes away. Since probate can involve lengthy paperwork and many court appearances, you should seek the help of an experienced lawyer. At Goldberg Sager & Associates, our legal team has more than 25 years of experience assisting families in Brooklyn and throughout New York City with probate matters.
We recognize that the passing of a loved one can cause immense pain for you and your family. For skilled, compassionate guidance, contact our firm today.
Understanding Probate | Understanding Your Responsibilities
Understanding the probate process can be difficult, especially if you must serve as the executor while you are grieving the death of your loved one. The person creating a will names someone to be the executor. That person has a duty to manage and administer the estate in a responsible and reasonable fashion.
The executor is responsible for handling the affairs of the deceased postmortem with honesty and integrity. In addition to filing paperwork with the court, the executor establishes the validity of the will and presents the court with lists of the deceased’s debts, property and surviving heirs. If an executor behaves in a negligent or fraudulent manner, he or she can be held personally responsible for any damage caused to the estate and removed by the court.
We can minimize the stress of probate by providing you with the following services:
- Filing the required probate petition with the court
- Attending required court appearances in court to discuss the estate
- Appraising the estate’s property and assets to ensure a proper value is established
- Notifying creditors of the estate and arranging for the payment of the debts of the estate
- Arguing in court on your behalf
- Providing for the distribution of the estate’s assets to the beneficiaries of the estate
It is common for people to fear the probate process, but probate can be beneficial. During the probate process, the court can resolve disputes that arise between beneficiaries. Another benefit of probate is that it effectively deals with creditor claims. Lastly, the process can help to ensure that property and assets are distributed properly in accordance with the will.
