Riverside Probate Lawyer
If you have recently lost a loved one who did not create an estate plan before they passed away, you may be forced to undergo a court-supervised process to legally validate their will and initiate the distribution of the assets and property within their estate. The probate process tends to be complicated, time-consuming, and expensive, so one of the main reasons that clients choose to create an estate plan is to prevent their family members from dealing with this hassle while they are still grieving.
The best way to reach a successful and efficient conclusion to this process is to hire a Riverside probate lawyer for legal representation.
Learn more about probate by reviewing the information below, then contact Sweeney Probate Law to discuss your case. We understand the complexities of probate law in California and Riverside County and can guide you through every step of the probate process.
What Does a Probate Attorney Do for You?
Good Riverside probate lawyers are an incredibly valuable asset if you are tasked with administering a loved one’s estate. An attorney’s role in the probate process differs depending on the circumstances of the case, but generally, they can help by:
- Informing the personal representative of their rights and responsibilities
- Offering legal advice about administration of the estate
- Accurately preparing and filing all necessary legal documents
- Paying debts and other financial obligations
- Handling issues with income taxes and estate taxes
- Transferring assets to beneficiaries
What Is the Difference Between a Probate Lawyer and an Estate Lawyer?
Many people mistakenly assume that a probate lawyers and an estate lawyers are the same, but these legal professionals specialize in distinct areas of probate law. An estate planning lawyer helps you develop an estate to prepare for death or incapacitation, with documents such as a will, living trust, durable power of attorney, or advanced health care directive. A probate lawyer focuses on representing clients during the probate court proceedings or any litigation that may arise from the case. In other words, you hire an estate planning lawyer while you are still alive, and you hire a probate lawyer following the death of a loved one to provide legal representation and counsel during the probate process.
What Is the Normal Fee for a Probate Lawyer?
The amount you will pay for legal representation from Riverside probate lawyers depends on several factors: the value of the estate, the complexity of the case, and the amount of time it takes to resolve. In California, the state utilizes a sliding scale of percentages determined by the value of the probate estate to govern how much an attorney may reasonably charge to retain their services. According to the Probate Code guidelines, an attorney can charge a statutory fee equaling:
- 4% of the first $100,000
- 3% of the next $100,000
- 2% of the next $800,000
- 1% of the next $9 million
- 0.5% of the next $15 million
If the value of the state exceeds $25 million, the probate court will be responsible for calculating a reasonable statutory amount.
Probate attorneys may choose to bill the statutory fee outlined above, charge a flat fee, or bill at an hourly rate. When charging by the hour, the longer they spend working toward a resolution, the more expensive their fees will become. Before you sign an agreement to hire an attorney for your probate case, take time to ask them questions about their billing policies, how long they expect your case to take, and if they can provide an estimate of what your total legal fees will be after the conclusion of your case.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for Probate?
In some cases, the decedent owned a small enough estate or left a detailed enough estate plan that the probate process can be significantly shortened or avoided altogether. However, under other circumstances, it may be possible to handle probate proceedings on your own if you have been named the estate’s representative. If the value of the estate exceeds $150,000 or the estate includes tangible property such as real estate, then you must undergo probate proceedings before the terms of the will and other estate documents may be carried out, and therefore you will benefit from hiring a Riverside probate lawyer.
Administering an estate is a complicated, confusing, and time-intensive process that demands close attention to detail to ensure all requirements are met, and potential issues are resolved promptly. As the value of the estate increases, distributing the assets becomes more complicated. More creditors may attempt to make debt collection efforts against the estate, and beneficiaries are more likely to contest the administration of the estate. The average person rarely has the time to dedicate to overseeing all the minor details or the legal knowledge to anticipate and mitigate risks. A Riverside probate lawyer can save you significant time, money, and hassle and ensure you are prepared for any disputes or litigation that may arise.
Contact Sweeney Law Group Today
If you have found yourself facing the probate process following the death of a loved one, you likely feel confused and overwhelmed by these responsibilities and have a variety of questions regarding how best to proceed. To ensure you can reach an efficient resolution to your probate case, contact Sweeney Law Group today. I am William Sweeney, founder of Sweeney Law Group and an experienced legal professional. I represent clients throughout Riverside County and surrounding areas. Unlike other firms that pass clients among multiple staff members, I am the sole practitioner of my firm, which allows me to offer personalized, attentive service for every client from the beginning of the probate process through the case’s conclusion.
When you hire me for legal representation during probate, I will carefully consider the unique circumstances of your particular case to provide an honest assessment and develop a strategic approach that will deliver the optimal results. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how I can help you navigate even the most challenging probate issues. With Sweeney Law Group on your side, you gain the confidence and peace of mind knowing your case is in the most qualified hands.
To schedule a consultation in Riverside County, call me toll free at 800-575-9610 or locally at 760-989-4820. I enjoy meeting in person whenever possible, but am also available via Skype and email.
Riverside Probate Lawyer
If you have recently lost a loved one who did not create an estate plan before they passed away, you may be forced to undergo a court-supervised process to legally validate their will and initiate the distribution of the assets and property within their estate. The probate process tends to be complicated, time-consuming, and expensive, so one of the main reasons that clients choose to create an estate plan is to prevent their family members from dealing with this hassle while they are still grieving. The best way to reach a successful and efficient conclusion to this process is to hire a Riverside probate lawyer for legal representation.
Learn more about probate by reviewing the information below, then contact Sweeney Probate Law to discuss your case. We understand the complexities of probate law in California and Riverside County and can guide you through every step of the probate process.
What Does a Probate Attorney Do for You?
A Riverside probate lawyer is an incredibly valuable asset if you are tasked with administering a loved one’s estate. An attorney’s role in the probate process differs depending on the circumstances of the case, but generally, they can help by:
- Informing the personal representative of their rights and responsibilities
- Offering legal advice about administration of the estate
- Accurately preparing and filing all necessary legal documents
- Paying debts and other financial obligations
- Handling issues with income taxes and estate taxes
- Transferring assets to beneficiaries
What Is the Difference Between a Probate Lawyer and an Estate Lawyer?
Many people mistakenly assume that a probate lawyer and an estate lawyer are the same, but these legal professionals specialize in distinct areas of probate law. An estate planning lawyer helps you develop an estate to prepare for death or incapacitation, with documents such as a will, living trust, durable power of attorney, or advanced health care directive. A probate lawyer focuses on representing clients during the probate court proceedings or any litigation that may arise from the case. In other words, you hire an estate planning lawyer while you are still alive, and you hire a probate lawyer following the death of a loved one to provide legal representation and counsel during the probate process.
What Is the Normal Fee for a Probate Lawyer?
The amount you will pay for legal representation from a Riverside probate lawyer depends on several factors: the value of the estate, the complexity of the case, and the amount of time it takes to resolve. In California, the state utilizes a sliding scale of percentages determined by the value of the probate estate to govern how much an attorney may reasonably charge to retain their services. According to the Probate Code guidelines, an attorney can charge a statutory fee equaling:
- 4% of the first $100,000
- 3% of the next $100,000
- 2% of the next $800,000
- 1% of the next $9 million
- 0.5% of the next $15 million
If the value of the state exceeds $25 million, the probate court will be responsible for calculating a reasonable statutory amount.
A probate attorney may choose to bill the statutory fee outlined above, charge a flat fee, or bill at an hourly rate. When charging by the hour, the longer they spend working toward a resolution, the more expensive their fees will become. Before you sign an agreement to hire an attorney for your probate case, take time to ask them questions about their billing policies, how long they expect your case to take, and if they can provide an estimate of what your total legal fees will be after the conclusion of your case.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for Probate?
In some cases, the decedent owned a small enough estate or left a detailed enough estate plan that the probate process can be significantly shortened or avoided altogether. However, under other circumstances, it may be possible to handle probate proceedings on your own if you have been named the estate’s representative. If the value of the estate exceeds $150,000 or the estate includes tangible property such as real estate, then you must undergo probate proceedings before the terms of the will and other estate documents may be carried out, and therefore you will benefit from hiring a Riverside probate lawyer.
Administering an estate is a complicated, confusing, and time-intensive process that demands close attention to detail to ensure all requirements are met, and potential issues are resolved promptly. As the value of the estate increases, distributing the assets becomes more complicated. More creditors may attempt to make debt collection efforts against the estate, and beneficiaries are more likely to contest the administration of the estate. The average person rarely has the time to dedicate to overseeing all the minor details or the legal knowledge to anticipate and mitigate risks. A Riverside probate lawyer can save you significant time, money, and hassle and ensure you are prepared for any disputes or litigation that may arise.
Contact Sweeney Law Group Today
If you have found yourself facing the probate process following the death of a loved one, you likely feel confused and overwhelmed by these responsibilities and have a variety of questions regarding how best to proceed. To ensure you can reach an efficient resolution to your probate case, contact Sweeney Law Group today. I am William Sweeney, founder of Sweeney Law Group and an experienced legal professional. I represent clients throughout Riverside County and surrounding areas. Unlike other firms that pass clients among multiple staff members, I am the sole practitioner of my firm, which allows me to offer personalized, attentive service for every client from the beginning of the probate process through the case’s conclusion.
When you hire me for legal representation during probate, I will carefully consider the unique circumstances of your particular case to provide an honest assessment and develop a strategic approach that will deliver the optimal results. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how I can help you navigate even the most challenging probate issues. With Sweeney Law Group on your side, you gain the confidence and peace of mind knowing your case is in the most qualified hands.
To schedule a consultation, call me toll free at 800-575-9610 or locally at 760-989-4820. I enjoy meeting in person whenever possible, but am also available via Skype and email.