What Should I Bring to My First Meeting With a Probate Attorney?

Probate can be an overwhelming and emotional process, but there are some simple steps you can take to ease the process. During your first meeting with your probate attorney, there are a few documents you should bring to ensure the estate can be handled as efficiently as possible.

1. Their Last Will and Testament or Trust Documents

Not every person has a Will and even fewer have a Trust. It may be possible that your loved one did not, and if so, it is fine. Your probate attorney will walk you through the process regardless, but a lack of these “testamentary” documents may extend the length of the probate process, depending on the particular situation.

2. A death certificate

The death certificate is important for the attorney so they are able to figure out where the probate case should be filed, as well as other important details regarding the individual who passed away that will be needed.

3. A list of their assets

This may seem overwhelming, but a basic list of assets is important for you to bring to your first meeting with a probate attorney, especially because the point of probate is to ensure assets are retitled into heir’s and beneficiary’s names. Assets include things like bank accounts, cars, retirement plans, homes, or other valuables.

4. A list of their debts

Finding the individual who passed away’s debts may sound even more overwhelming than finding a list of their assets, but it is just as important so the attorney can properly estimate the cost of administering the probate estate, as well as determine an estimate of what each heir or beneficiary will receive.

Some of these documents may be difficult to obtain or not known until later in the probate process and that is okay. Throughout the process, your probate attorney will be there to guide you.

If you are looking to have a consultation with a Boca Raton Probate Attorney who can walk you through the process of probate, contact our office today.

This article is not intended to be legal advice, nor create an attorney-client relationship.