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Estate Administration

Managing your assets and guiding you through probate

What is estate administration

Estate planning is the process of determining what will happen to your assets after you pass or in the case you are unable to handle them on your own. This process can happen by using a Will, Trust, insurance policies or other devices.

As your estate planning law team, we are experts in navigating these different devices and recommending only what will serve you best. We will help you through this process and will make plans for the management and transfer of your estate when time comes.

We understand that each estate plan is uniquely created to meet a family’s needs. Whether your needs are simple or if you have a more complex family dynamic, we will give your estate plan the attention and care that it needs. 

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Why it matters

The purpose of estate administration

  • Receive clear title to property
  • Locate decedent's assets
  • Minimize probate expenses
  • Minimize probate delays
  • Incorporate charitable giving

Understanding

The probate process

The probate process may seem intimidating, but our experienced team will walk you through what's expected and be there with you to take action at all the key stages. 

Our team will:

  • Educate you on the process
  • File the petition
  • Gather required information
  • List required documentation
  • Identify beneficiaries, heirs and creditors
  • Communicate with all parties

Petition

The process starts by us filing your petition in probate court

Executor

The next step is to appoint an executor or administrator

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Communication

Communicate with all beneficiaries, heirs and creditors of the estate

Inventory

Check inventory and have assets appraised by executor

Creditors

Review and pay creditors

Assets

Liquify assets

Estate Taxes

Assess and pay estate taxes

Distribute Assets

Distribute assets to heirs and beneficiaries

How we work

Getting started with us

Our streamlined onboarding process will ensure that your needs are met and that all the necessary information is available for our team to file your petition and get your case moving.

Step 1

Intro Call

We'll discuss your goals, objectives and identify any potential road blocks

Step 2

Design Meeting

During this meeting we will gather any missing information, names, contact information and will fill out all the documents necessary

Step 3

Final Review

Together we will review and sign your documents, then we will file your petition
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Understanding

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most common questions we get about Estate Planning. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask us using our contact form below or by emailing us at admin@cf-firm.com

What is probate or estate administration?
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Generally these terms refer to the same process. Probate is the state mandated process by which the probate court oversees the orderly handling of a deceased persons debts and assets.

My spouse or parent just passed away. Do I have to pay their debts?
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No. When someone passes away, their assets are all that is available to pay their debts. Even if there was more money owed than what is in the estate creditors cannot pursue the family for those debts, unless the family took money or assets out of the estate after death or in some fraudulent manner.
Do I need to hire an attorney to start the probate process?
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You are on an attorney's website. Obviously, we think it is best for you to hire an attorney to walk you through the process. Not because an attorney is required, or there is some secret knowledge you need. Many people handle the probate process without an attorney. We believe that it is best to hire an attorney to save you time and expense. Filing the wrong petition, failing to file the debtor-creditor notice, or distributing funds before the proper time are all common mistakes that are made in the probate process. While the sticker price of an attorney can be shocking, that price is nothing compared to the cost of time and expense of making a mistake along the way that has to be fixed.
My parents had a Will do I still need to go through Probate?
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It is a common misconception that writing a will gets you out of the probate process. That is not true. If you have a Will, that simply dictates what happens with your assets after your bills are paid WITHIN the probate process.

Types of estate planning

Each situation is unique, thankfully, there are several options that we can use to create the right plan for you. We will guide you through these different scenarios and help you assess what is needed.

  • Will-based planning
  • Trust-based planning
  • Special needs planning
  • Tax planning
  • Firearms planning
  • Advanced problems