Back to navigating a lossFigure out probate
Probate is the court process used to settle some estates after someone dies.
For now, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Whether you need it, and how much, depends on what they owned and how, whether there's a will, and the rules where they lived.
- Not every estate needs probate. Some things pass outside it, like accounts with a named beneficiary, and some estates qualify for a simpler process.
- A will usually names who's in charge. Where probate is needed, the court gives that person, or someone it appoints, the authority to act for the estate.
- It's rarely a first-week task. Probate usually starts weeks after a death, once the most urgent things are handled.
- The rules depend on where they lived. The probate court clerk there can tell you what's required.
Hire a professional
For more complex situations, or when you want someone to do it with you. Ask people you trust for referrals, and check whether your employer offers a legal plan.
- Estate planning attorney
- Wills, trusts and powers of attorney. Worth it for a blended family, a business, or a dependent with special needs.
- Elder law attorney
- Long-term care costs, and benefits like Medicaid.
- Tax professional (CPA)
- Estate and gift tax questions.
- Financial advisor
- Retirement savings and investments.
This is Mindy. She helps people in situations like yours.
Want to talk it through with her? Book a free call at a time that works for you.
Find trusted partners
Trusted partners who can help you in this situation.
Having trouble finding everything?
Accounts, policies, and benefits can be easy to miss when you don't know what existed. If you're not confident you've found everything, Sunset is one option we've vetted to help get a more complete picture.
SunsetSunset helps find the financial accounts, insurance policies, and benefits a loved one left behind, then helps settle them. Fees are paid from the estate.
Best for
Finds the financial accounts a loved one left behind, then helps settle them
If keeping the estate organized is getting complicated
Probate can mean tracking assets, paperwork, expenses, court steps, and deadlines at once. EstateExec is one option we've vetted to help keep it organized.
EstateExecStep-by-step software that guides you through settling an estate, with built-in estate accounting.
Best for
Guides you through settling an estate, step by step, with the accounting built in
This is general information, not legal or financial advice.