Probate is a court-supervised process, one that can be frustrating for family members to navigate on their own after the loss of their loved one. If you are suddenly responsible for managing the estate of a family member after they have died, it is beneficial to hire a Chicago probate attorney to guide you. The Chicago estate planning attorney at Plan Forward Legal can offer guidance on every step in probate, including your specific responsibilities.

What Is the Probate Process in Illinois?

In Illinois, the probate court is where numerous legal decisions are made for those who die without a will in place. This process appoints someone in the family or another party as appropriate to manage the details of a person’s life after they die. That includes paying off their debts, settling any taxes owed to various organizations, and handling the distribution of remaining assets to heirs.

While probate can seem like a hassle, the party navigating it must understand its role and responsibility. With the guidance of a Chicago probate lawyer, you will have more insight into what those requirements are, including, but not limited to, when you will have to make decisions and what rights you have. If you are learning that your loved one’s estate needs to go through this process, contact our probate lawyer in Chicago to learn more about how we can help you.

How Long Does Probate Take?

Various factors contribute to the length of the probate process. When you meet with our probate attorney in Chicago, you will have a better idea of what you can expect. Factors such as the following typically play a role in how long this process takes:

• Property. Does the decedent own substantial property? The more property is owned outright, the more complex the process of freeing that asset.
• Creditors. If a person dies with no creditors, that means no one has the right to seek money from the estate. Today, it is very rare for a person to die without creditors, and that makes the process of probate more complex. Creditors may need to be paid off first for legitimate claims before heirs receive anything.
• Family contests. Most of the time, the court will appoint someone to manage probate, and that person then maintains the process and makes critical decisions. However, family members may contest or challenge those decisions. That can extend the time required in this process.
• Medicare. Another reason you will benefit from a probate attorney in Chicago is when Medicare is involved. If the descendant died while receiving Medicare benefits, there may be a need to pay those benefits back in the sale of assets like the home. Let an attorney guide you through this process.
• Challenges in finding paperwork. Settling an estate through probate is more time-consuming without the necessary documentation and details. If you cannot find critical paperwork, such as deeds to property, it may take longer to navigate the probate process.

Typically, the probate process takes as little as 6 months in cases with no creditors, but can extend to two years in cases involving disputes. Throughout this time, you will be making critical decisions about those assets, and you are held accountable for managing the process in the best interests of the estate. By working with a probate attorney in Chicago from Plan Forward Legal, you have an ally available who will help you make critical decisions legally.

What Should I Look for if I Hire a Probate Lawyer Near Me?

Deciding to hire a probate lawyer is often a good idea. There are often many hoops to jump through and steps to manage to minimize the risk of complications later. With the help of an attorney, you gain more insight into your rights. Our inheritance lawyer can help you in numerous ways:

• Provide you with guidance on uncovering all assets owned by the decedent, even what you may not know exists
• Manage creditors, a process that can be frustrating at every turn, but your lawyer can do that for you
• Navigating the Medicare payback process, if applicable, which in itself can be challenging to manage
• Gather information about your rights in distributing assets after creditors are paid, including how you will make decisions for those assets you inherit
• Gain insight into how to overcome the challenges of family members who contest your decisions or make claims that may not be as true as they believe

With the guidance of a Chicago probate attorney, you know your rights and those of your loved one. At the same time, you also do not have to worry about the heavy burden of navigating complicated titles or dealing with never-ending calls from creditors. Let our probate lawyer in Chicago handle all of that for you.

Why Choose a Probate Attorney Near Me?

You can select a probate attorney who serves Illinois to guide you. When you choose a lawyer who is close to where you live, you ensure you have a convenient way to contact that attorney if there is a need for a meeting or a concern about the legal process. A local attorney knows the local courts and can provide you with insight into what may or may not be applicable heading into court.

Set Up a Consultation with a Probate Lawyer in Chicago Now

You need insight and answers, and our Chicago probate lawyer at Plan Forward Legal can offer them to you. Set up a consultation to learn more about the responsibilities you may have, as well as what steps our legal team can offer to minimize the risk of making critical and costly decisions. Before you head to probate court, know what your rights are.