Fair Oaks Probate Attorney

Years of Experience In Probate & Estate Planning Law Throughout California

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Fair Oaks Probate Lawyer

When an individual dies, leaving behind property, assets, and debts for their family members, the probate process is the legal vehicle for determining which beneficiary receives the deceased’s estate contents. Probate is a notoriously complex and challenging area of civil law because of the complex probate laws in California and Sacramento County. If you recently lost a loved one or simply want to prepare for your future by creating end-of-life plans, call our firm. A Fair Oaks probate lawyer is your best resource when it comes to understanding probate more clearly.

The right attorney can potentially help their clients avoid probate altogether by creating, uncovering, and verifying estate plans to determine appropriate disbursement of the deceased’s estate. At McCunn Law, our team understands that complex legal proceedings are the last things any family wants to handle after losing a loved one. Our goal is to determine the most streamlined route through probate proceedings and limit uncertainty for you and your family.

If you need help with probate in California contact McCunn Law today.

If you are involved in the trust probate process, you need a compassionate probate attorney who can protect you and your family’s best interests. For more information about our probate and estate services, contact our office online or call (916) 773-6100 to speak with a member of our team today.

What Are the Responsibilities of an Estate Planning Attorney?

Whenever a person dies, their loved ones must swiftly determine whether they had any estate plans in place, such as a will, trust, or combination of formal contracts that dictate their wishes for disbursing their assets and property to surviving loved ones. The probate process may be very time-consuming and tedious, or it may only apply to a small set of issues related to a death. Ultimately, the existence of any estate plans and their enforceability determine how extensive the probate process could be for any given death.

Since the elements of the probate process fluctuate on a case-by-case basis, a probate attorney could handle many different possible tasks during probate proceedings in California:

  • A Fair Oaks probate lawyer will likely begin probate representation by determining whether the deceased in question held any estate plans, wills, trusts, or other formal documents that could potentially streamline probate proceedings.
  • Probate lawyers work closely with personal representatives of deceased individuals, estate executors, and other parties relevant to the process. A good probate attorney will ensure a personal representative or executor has everything they need to handle their responsibilities to the probate process.
  • A probate lawyer can assist an executor in disbursing estate contents, paying estate debts, and tracking all expenses for the estate in a running tabulation for later reference. The attorney will also ensure traceability for all transactions involving the deceased’s estate.
  • Probate attorneys prepare their clients for intestate succession proceedings if their deceased loved ones had no estate plans in place. When a person dies without any estate plan, the laws of intestate succession determine which beneficiaries assume ownership of the deceased’s assets and debts. An attorney can help a family prepare for these determinations.
  • An experienced Fair Oaks probate lawyer can also arrange appraisals of property and coordinate expert reviews of complex assets and other unclear elements of a probate case. This financial research assists in disbursement, ensuring every beneficiary receives an appropriate amount based on the deceased’s last wishes.

A reliable Fair Oaks Estate Planning attorney is a great asset during any type of probate proceedings, especially those when the deceased had no estate plans in place, when the surviving family may not know the best approach to the legal proceedings they face.

What Questions Should I Ask a Probate Lawyer?

If you need legal representation for probate proceedings in Sacramento County, a Fair Oaks probate lawyer is a fantastic ally. While you shouldn’t delay obtaining legal counsel, it is equally important not to rush your decision to hire a lawyer. Take your time and ensure the Fair Oaks estate planning attorney you choose can handle the unique variables of your case.

Consider asking a potential attorney a few questions to gauge their suitability to handle your case:

  • “How long have you practiced probate law?”
  • “Have you handled cases similar to this one in the past?”
  • “What type of outcome do you expect in this case?”
  • “Are there any unique factors that warrant immediate investigation?”
  • “How long do you expect the probate process to last?”

Ask these to determine whether the lawyer is an appropriate choice. Take time to develop a few more questions that are particular to your unique case.

How Does Probate Work With a Will?

When a deceased individual has a will or estate plan, these documents can significantly hasten probate proceedings. However, the presence of a will alone does not guarantee an easy probate process. Depending on the strength and completeness of the will or estate plan in question, disputes may arise over the beneficiary’s rights to claim certain properties. Disputes may also arise over the handling of a deceased individual’s debts. A will can easily streamline probate proceedings if it was properly drafted and regularly updated up until the death in question.

Why Would You Need an Attorney for Estate Planning?

To many, it may seem like there are two simple choices when a loved one dies. The first is that they had a will in place, and the surviving family simply follows the instructions included therein. The second is that they had no estate plan and the laws of intestate succession determine who gets what out of their estate. The reality is that many other variables come into play during probate proceedings. The average persona may not know how to address unique and complex legal issues without professional legal counsel on their side.

Even if your deceased loved one had a very detailed and recently updated estate plan in place at the time of their death, this is no guarantee that probate will be an easy process for you or your family. Hiring a Fair Oaks probate lawyer is the best way to ensure a fair and reasonable outcome from your probate proceedings and minimize the potential impact of any disputes that may arise.

If you recently lost a loved one and have questions or concerns about the probate laws of California and Sacramento County, consult with an experienced Fair Oaks probate lawyer as soon as possible. The team at McCunn Law is ready and able to provide detail-oriented and compassionate legal counsel to families in the Fair Oaks area who need probate representation. Contact McCunn Law today and arrange a case evaluation with our team.

Why Choose McCunn Law

Our methods for handling probate issues are unique. We offer legal assistance for a range of decedent estate and trust administration needs.

Mr. McCunn specializes in a holistic, project management approach which empowers you to make your own decisions throughout the process. He has a reputation as a peacemaker and his honest and pragmatic attitude towards divorce and other family law issues ensures you only pay for the services you need during your case.

“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”

Megan P.

“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”

Megan P.

“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”

Megan P.