If you are left with the task of managing a loved one's estate, you may have questions about the probate process. At our law firm, we are experienced with planning and administration of estates.

If you are left with the task of managing a loved one’s estate, you may have questions about what to expect from the probate process. At our law firm, we are experienced with both the planning and administration of estates. That means we deal with the probate process regularly, while most people only go through it one to three times in their life. It’s not something you do very often, so that’s why we’re here to share our experience with you on everything from hiring an estate lawyer to the average cost of probate.

THE PROBATE PROCESS. Probate is the process by which the Court grants the estate representative the authority to legally represent the estate and act on its behalf. This multi-step process involves:

* Submitting the Last Will and Testament for review to ensure that it meets the state’s requirements for a validly executed Will,

* Notifying the decedent’s heirs and creditors that the Will has been submitted,

* Transferring ownership of decedent’s assets into the name of the estate,

* Paying all debts and taxes,

* Distributing the assets to the estate’s heirs and beneficiaries.

WHAT DOES A PROBATE LAWYER DO? We have nearly 25 years' experience in estate administration and the probate process. We know the ins and outs of probate and will be able to walk you through it every step of the way. We will:

* Complete and file the necessary paperwork with the court,

* Arrange for notice to all the necessary parties,

* Represent you at all necessary court appearances.

* Advise you on how to proceed in representing the estate after you have been appointed.

ATTORNEY’S FEES. In Washington, we provide probate legal services on either an hourly basis or a flat fee basis, depending on the nature and complexity of the estate.

WHAT TO EXPECT. If you choose to hire us to represent you as Personal Representative of any estate, we can assist you in identifying estate assets, gathering those assets, paying bills, and making final distributions to heirs. You should be aware that while it can be incredibly helpful to have professional assistance in this arena, many of these tasks—such as contacting banks to gather and transfer assets—are those you would be able to do yourself. You can save yourself and the estate a significant amount on legal fees by taking on some of the work yourself.

CAN YOU HIRE A LAWYER FOR "LIMITED REPRESENTATION"? You may decide that you have the time to handle these estate tasks personally. If that is the case, you can create an agreement with your lawyer about what to expect and agree upon who is handling which tasks. This will prevent duplication of efforts at a financial cost to you and the estate, as well as prevent important tasks from falling through the cracks. In your initial meeting with the lawyer, they should be asking you for information about the decedent’s assets, creditors, and heirs, but you should have some questions too. We recommend you ask them to educate you about what will be required of you as Personal Representative, as well as any other questions you have about the probate process and your loved one’s estate. This will help you tailor your agreement with the lawyer to include only those tasks with which you will require assistance.

If you find yourself as the named Personal Representative of an estate, contact us at 253.858.5434 to assist you in beginning the probate process. We will take the time to explain the probate process and your role in it, allowing you to make an informed decision about your probate representation needs.