Let's Talk Probate & Estate Administration.

While we know that no one loves to hear it, the cost of hiring a probate attorney in Williamsville, or anywhere else in New York State for that matter, can vary significantly. Some attorneys may charge an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a percentage of the estate's value (which is designed to reflect the amount of work that attorney is going to have to put in to complete the probate). We get it - hiring an attorney can seem daunting and really the best way that we can help you get an idea on cost of legal services is to sit down with you and really understand your situation. We can absolutely tell you that hiring an attorney can dramatically decrease the stress and headaches of probate, as well as actually decrease the financial burden by decreasing unnecessary delays. Contact Us and set up a consultation appointment - We are happy to learn more about your situation so that we can give you an accurate cost estimate.

In short, yes! But, there are also ways to make the process of probate easier if probate cannot be avoided. The more that we plan together, the simpler this process becomes and depending on the situation and the tools & documents we use, it can be possible to avoid probate entirely.

If someone disputes a will, there is a whole process that unfolds. There can be a hearing with will witnesses, with various objections filed against the will. These disputes can delay the probate process and can result in significant estate administration expenses! Remember- If we plan ahead thoughtfully, we can do our best to avoid this scenario altogether. Contact us to start carefully constructing your estate plan - This can make a world of difference in avoiding disputes entirely!

Errors in probate, such as failing to obtain “jurisdiction” (a fancy but important term!), failing to handle assets properly, failing to insure and protect assets, failing to inventory assets or handle taxes, debts, estate expenses, and so on, can result in disputes, delays, or even legal action against an executor. Probate involves strict deadlines and procedures, and missing even one step can have serious consequences. Because of the often serious consequences of mistakes, this is really a process that we don’t suggest going through alone. By working with an experienced probate attorney, you can avoid these pitfalls and ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. 

It depends - Several types of taxes might be involved, including personal income tax returns, fiduciary income tax returns, and estate tax returns. There also may be separate business tax filings. We can help you determine which taxes would apply to your situation and help you prepare for these proactively.

While it might seem simple and straightforward at first glance, probate can be (and is often) incredibly complex. Probate is not just reading a will and handing out checks - There is an entire legal process that must be adhered to closely, and an infinite amount of “ifs, ands and buts”. While it is legally possible to manage probate without an attorney, mistakes, such as failing to properly notify heirs or mismanaging assets, can lead to costly delays or even personal liability. Therefore, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. A local probate attorney familiar with courts such as the Erie County Surrogate’s Court or the Niagara County Surrogate’s Court can save you time, money, and stress. If you need help working through the process of a probate, make sure to check out our Probate & Estate Administration page for more details or Contact Us to set up a consultation appointment.

An executor is the person you nominate in your will who will have a right to petition Surrogate's Court to be appointed officially to administer your estate. An executor has fiduciary reponsibilities, meaning they MUST act in the best interest of the estate. This position is not to be taken lightly! It requires great organizational skills, attention to detail, and often great communication skills to work with all family members during an often difficult and stressful time. 

No, depending on how well you have planned your estate, your loved ones may not need to go through probate. Contact us to discuss what tools might be beneficial to help you and your family avoid probate, as they are different in each situation!

The probate process can be lengthy even under the best circumstances and this is why we always promote PLAN PLAN PLAN!!! The more we plan, the shorter this process can be. However, generally speaking the length of probate depends on how complex the estate is. Simpler estates take approximately 1 year to fully resolve, while more complex estates (such as owning property in several states, potential disputes or other complications) can take potentially years longer. 

As a New York State attorney, Ruth P. George offers legal services and consultations for New York State matters.  Probate matters are typically handled in certain counties within New York State.  With that being said, sometimes family members live out of state but have a New York State estate matter.  We can help in this kind of situation but, as always, would review what we may be able to help you with!

Online forms are generic and don’t account for New York’s unique probate laws or the specific procedures and requirements of local Surrogate’s Courts including Erie County’s Surrogate’s Court and Niagara County Surrogate’s Court, or for your unique situation. At Ruth P. George Law PLLC, we navigate potential obstacles and help you avoid costly mistakes that can occur by using an impersonal online service. We also have great relationships with a number of local professionals, like realtors, cleaning companies, accountants and so on to streamline the probate and estate administration process and ensure no detail is overlooked.