Please see the tabs for Alice and the Mad Hatter and our Memorandum to Personal Representatives under the tab for Probate.
Alice and the Mad Hatter is an "Alice in Wonderland" look at probate, a very serious subject, and illustrates how people often feel after asking normal questions and not understanding the answers. We try, whenever possible, to help our clients though probate by educating them as to the process of settling an estate, which is often referred to as probate or probating an estate. This education helps remove much of the mystery surrounding probate. Also, a proper understanding of probate is important to understanding a number of planning techniques and when they may and may not be appropriate in your own personal situation.
The Memorandum to Personal Representatives is in PDF format and helps explain the most common probate procedures. If needed, the Memorandum to Personal Representatives can be downloaded and printed.
For more information on probate, please review the probate and trust settlement information under our Free Consultation section. It includes a short checklist of information needed for an initial meeting to determine if probate and/or an estate tax return is required. There are numerous cases where probate and the appointment of a Personal Representative are thought to be required, but turn out not to be necessary. If a probate estate is opened and a Personal Representative is unnecessarily appointed, a number of statutory requirements and deadlines kick in and substantial costs can be incurred.
If a full probate with the appointment of a Personal Representative and/or an estate tax return are required, then we normally review the long checklist. Also, the Representation Letter gives additional information on probate and our policies and procedures, which may be helpful in understanding the process.
No portion of this material should be construed as legal, accounting, or financial advice.It is merely intended as general educational information and does not necessarily represent the planning that should be done in your particular situation. Unless a specific expiration date is otherwise given, all legal fees and/or special offers listed on this website are subject to change or being withdrawn at anytime without notice. However, once your appointment is made, if it occurs within 20 days of your calling us and setting up the appointment, the fee or special offer will be honored for 10 day after the appointment date. Please check back from time to time for the current legal fees and special offers.
