Probate, Trusts & Estates
SA LAW, P.C. has been serving the Probate and Estate needs of individual clients for many years. We help plan and prepare so those special individuals in our lives are appropriately taken care of. After the passing of a loved one or dear friend, we assist fiduciaries, executors, administrators or others with the administration of the estate through Probate Court.
PROBATE ADMINISTRATION
In order to distribute assets to heirs or beneficiaries, an estate must be opened in the appropriate Probate Court. Probate Courts undertake a specific process and require filings that each case must comply with prior to the distribution of assets. SA LAW, P.C. can assist with this process from start to finish or as special litigation counsel.
We offer our services to fiduciaries in charge of an estate, and also offer our services as the fiduciary. An appointed fiduciary (executor or administrator) often retains a lawyer to assist with the complexities of administration through Probate Court. Our services may include initiating the probate matter, gathering asset information for inventory, debts and creditors information for the return of claims, information for tax returns, and, ultimately, information to facilitate the distribution of an estate. We frequently work and coordinate with family accountants who have been involved in the client’s financial matters over the years to efficiently move an estate through Probate and tax tangles.
Additionally, we are often retained as special litigation counsel by other law firms and professionals in this field. We assist with litigation aspects of Probate Administration to resolve claims against, or in favor of, the estate in the most efficient manner. SA LAW, P.C. prides itself on being a litigation law firm handling a large variety of complex litigation matters. Our significant litigation experience allows us to quickly assess claims, identify issues facing parties on both sides, and better prepare us to negotiate beneficial settlements and facilitate agreements. In the event a settlement agreement is not reached, we aggressively represent fiduciaries, beneficiaries, or creditors in Probate Court, or the appropriate civil trial court.
We also represent those seeking to challenge a Will they feel was inappropriately drafted and/or executed without the necessary testamentary capacity or under some undue influence, and those seeking to admit a Will they believe is a valid Will, or those seeking to challenge, or defend, asset transfers made during the decedent’s lifetime. SA LAW, P.C.’s considerable litigation and trial court know-how is a significant asset to clients under these difficult or emotional circumstances.
We recognize that there are estates requiring different levels of attorney involvement, and that there are problems requiring unique approaches for a successful resolution. We offer no-fee consultations to determine how we may be able to help you. Please contact us by phone or email, or make an appointment to discuss your particular case and circumstances.
ESTATES
As indispensable parts of estate planning, we recommend that clients have a Will, Living Will, and Power of Attorney. A Will is the most essential document. A Will permits you to, among many other things, make specific gifts, appoint guardians, and create trusts for children, minimize taxes, and appoint an executor and trustee to manage all these matters. A Living Will provides medical direction for your care regarding life support, and can appoint a conservator in the event of an incapacity. A Power of Attorney appoints someone else as your trusted agent with authority to assist you with managing your affairs during your lifetime.
In addition to these essential documents, we assist our clients by creating a complete estate plan to help preserve assets. A complete estate plan may include various forms of trusts, including irrevocable or revocable trusts, inter vivos or testamentary trusts, a crummy trust, life insurance trust, trusts for children, and other wealth management tools. In many matters, a trust may not be necessary, and effective estate planning may be conducted through lifetime gift planning.
We recognize that there are estates requiring fundamental lifetime planning and after-death settlement, and others requiring a more advanced approach. We offer no-fee consultations to determine how we may be able to help you. Please contact us by phone or email, or make an appointment to discuss your particular needs and circumstances.