Probate court is a government-mandated process if you die with or without a will, or if you have assets that need to go through probate, or if you have a creditor or person who sues your estate.  Even though there are steps to the process, it can be complicated, especially in the event of disputes, and often creates challenges for family members left behind to deal with it. 

Hiring an Evanston probate attorney provides you with a strategy for getting help when you need it the most. Let the Evanston estate planning attorney at Plan Forward Legal guide you through the process.

What Happens In Probate

Your Evanston probate attorney handles a wide range of needs for you during the probate process. If your loved one has died, and you are tasked with being the personal representative to navigate probate, hiring an attorney will alleviate a great deal of the frustration that often goes along with the process. During the probate process, the following factors must be decided:

• Prove to the court that the will left by a person who has died is valid.
• Identify all of the person’s estate, which includes all of their assets and property.
• Have the property valued through a proper appraisal process.
• Use assets to pay all debts owed and taxes expected.
• Distribute the remaining property in accordance with the individual’s will. If there is no will, this is done in accordance with state law.

Probate enables the proper process of managing the estate after the death of a person. By hiring a probate lawyer in Evanston, you will have legal guidance at every stage. You will also be able to focus more on your grieving and spend less time navigating the law.

How Our Evanston Probate Lawyer Can Help You

Our legal team has extensive experience navigating the state’s probate court process and can offer full guidance to you in all steps involved. In complex cases, especially when disputes arise, having an attorney to provide guidance becomes crucial. Some of the ways we can help you include the following:

• Wills: Our legal team will review the will to identify any potential concerns. All of a person’s property that is outside of a trust or with designated beneficiaries must go through this process. Our legal team will utilize the will as a tool for navigating the distribution of assets. We will advise you on your rights to challenge a will if it is invalid.
• Power of Attorney: The power of attorney recognition allows a person to have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the person who has died. Most often, a power of attorney is created prior to death to provide critical support with health care decisions. We can help you to create and maintain a POA as appropriate in your situation.
• Guardianships. Our probate attorney in Evanston can help you navigate what happens to children when the parent or legal guardian dies. A will may include details on who the guardian is for the children. If you have adults in your life who are unable to care for themselves, guardianships can prove to be a valuable tool in protecting them and your assets after your death.
• Navigating contested estates. Another way our inheritance lawyer can help you is by providing guidance and support through contested estates. It is not uncommon for family members not to agree or for heirs to be misinformed about their rights. Let our legal team answer those questions for you.
• Handle the probate process in its entirety. Our probate attorney in Evanston will navigate all of the paperwork and court appearances required. This includes handling any challenges as well as the court’s requests during the process.

You are facing a challenging legal process, and it can be both confusing and heartbreaking when you are trying to grieve a loved one. With the guidance of an Evanston probate lawyer, you know what your rights and limitations are. You can also focus more on your own recovery over the complications faced in probate.

Can a Probate Lawyer Near Me Help with Disputes?

Our attorney works with all parties that are in a dispute related to the estate of a family member or other party. We represent individuals, families, beneficiaries, trustees, and guardians who require clarification or support. Our legal team can help you with any of the following services:

• Will contests to dispute what you believe is unfair
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Actions taken by Agents under Power of Attorney
• Challenges to the fees charged
• Undue influence claims
• Removal of fiduciaries for violations

No matter what role you play in the settling of an estate, turning to a skilled and experienced Evanston probate lawyer becomes an essential investment. These areas of the law are complex and often riddled with procedural limitations that can make it hard for you to have your voice heard. You can trust that we will be there to guide you through the process.

Why Trust a Probate Attorney Near Me with Your Case?

You have options when it comes to choosing an Evanston probate lawyer, and our legal team offers the resources you need. WE have a long and comprehensive history of helping to navigate the probate courts with confidence. When you choose our legal team, you gain an advocate who will explore all of the rights you have, the limitations under the law, and the challenges you could face.

Choose our probate attorney in Evanston for compassionate support at a difficult time. When you do, you can feel good about the decisions you must make.

Hiring a probate lawyer alleviates the “what if” concerns that many people have after a death. Let us be there to help you ensure your loved one’s wishes are carried out to the fullest level allowed under the law.

Schedule a Consultation with an Inheritance Lawyer Now

Our Evanston probate attorney can answer all your questions and provide you with peace of mind when you contact us. Turn to our legal team now to learn what your rights are and what specific recommendations we can offer. Let us handle the probate process from start to finish, with Victoria Lozano, founder of Plan Forward Legal, by your side.