The estate administration process involves gathering, managing, and distributing a deceased individual’s assets. Estate administration can involve various complexities and emotional burdens for families, especially when there were unresolved emotional issues among family members. Although estate administration may seem straightforward, multiple challenges can arise that may lead to avoidable stress or costly mistakes in estate administration, which makes hiring a lawyer more advisable for you and your family. Some of the reasons why you might hire a Pennsylvania estate administration lawyer include:
Legal Complexity of Estate Laws
Estate and probate laws can involve various complex issues for families to manage when administering a loved one’s estate. Furthermore, the estate administration process has various deadlines and required documents. Even a minor oversight can lead to unnecessary complexities or financial consequences. An estate administration attorney can advise families regarding applicable laws and handle the legal procedures for estate administration to take the stress of the legal process off their shoulders.
Potential for Family Disputes
The loss of a loved one frequently generates personal and legal disputes among family members, especially when a decedent does not have a Last Will and Testament. Unlike in other matters, the estate administration process is more open, meaning that there is accountability by both the personal representative and the attorney for the estate to the heirs. This allows the attorney to more readily share information about the estate with heirs. Hiring an estate administration lawyer can give a family access to an expert to consult, which can help reduce conflicts among family members or avoid suspicions of favoritism or wrongdoing by a personal representative. Lawyers will also advise heirs when they may need their own counsel if their interests become adverse to one another.
Financial Risks and Responsibilities
Personal representatives (executors/administrators) owe fiduciary duties to the estate and its heirs or beneficiaries. A personal representative who breaches their fiduciary duties or negligently manages the estate is accountable to the court and to the heirs and may bear financial liability to the estate or the heirs and beneficiaries. An estate administration attorney can provide knowledgeable legal guidance as the personal representative executes their duties, including filing estate tax returns, final income tax returns, paying creditor’s claims, and distributing assets. Furthermore, experienced legal advice and guidance can help families avoid mistakes that could result in financial losses that reduce the value of the decedent’s estate and the inheritances received by heirs and beneficiaries.
Peace of Mind and Efficiency
An estate administration lawyer can make the probate process less stressful for personal representatives and families, giving them confidence that they can handle the decedent’s affairs appropriately. Not stressing over the details of estate administration can also allow families to focus on grieving for their loved one and healing after their passing. Estate administration lawyers can handle all the paperwork required to manage a decedent’s estate, including filing court petitions and motions, drafting documents needed to transfer assets, preparing tax returns, evaluating the validity of creditor claims, and communicating with heirs and beneficiaries.
Talk to an Estate Administration Attorney Today
After a loved one passes away, an experienced estate administration attorney can guide your family through the process of winding up your loved one’s affairs and distributing their estate to heirs and beneficiaries. Contact Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman, L.L.C., today for an initial consultation with our legal team to learn how we can help you with estate administration in Pennsylvania.
