The Importance of Estate Administration Lawyers

The death of a loved one can be an emotionally trying time, especially when family members must organize the deceased’s affairs. A New York estate planning lawyer can help by preparing the necessary documents for probate or estate administration, which involves distributing assets to the deceased person’s heirs. The process can be complicated, and it’s critical for surviving family members to seek legal assistance from an experienced attorney.

Estate administration lawyers involve locating and inventorying all the deceased person’s assets, paying debts and taxes, filing tax returns, preparing accounts, selling real property, titling assets and distributing bequests. Depending on the size of the estate, it can take months or even years to complete. This is a difficult job, and a mistake can be costly for the estate administrator and beneficiaries. Having an experienced estate law firm on hand is essential for avoiding mistakes that can cause delays and even estate litigation.

Estate Administration Lawyers: What They Do and Why You May Need One

In addition to handling these duties, an estate administration lawyer can also provide valuable legal advice on estate planning matters. Creating trusts can be an important part of estate planning, and an estate administration attorney can offer guidance on the types of trusts that may work best for a person’s situation. They can also assist in the creation and administration of trusts, ensuring that they are properly administered and carried out according to the wishes of the deceased person.

An estate administration lawyer can also represent beneficiaries in litigating claims against an executor for misconduct or mismanagement. They can file suit to compel distributions, compelling the executor to account for expenses and to pay creditors, and they can even remove the estate’s administrator when appropriate.