Being prepared is a good rule of thumb for everything we do, including a consultation with a probate attorney. When you prepare for your first meeting with your attorney, you will be able to get the most out of your time and save yourself money on legal fees.
Here are some tips to help you prepare before you attend your first meeting with your probate attorney:
- After you have taken some time to make funeral and burial arrangements, begin making a complete list of your deceased family member’s assets. Note the title of each asset, the name of the beneficiary, and each asset’s value. Having all of this information ready will help determine if probate is necessary or if it can be avoided. If all assets are able to pass directly to a beneficiary, probate will not be necessary.
- A death certificate is required to open a probate case, so be sure to provide one to your attorney. In Florida, there are two types of death certificates, a long-form which shows the cause of death and a short-form which does not show the cause of death. In most cases, your probate attorney will need at least one copy of each type of death certificate.
- If the decedent left a Last Will and Testament behind, obtain and review it prior to the meeting with your probate attorney. In some cases, there may be more than one Will, which will also need to be reviewed by your attorney.
- Not everyone leaves a Will behind, especially if that person’s death was unexpected and sudden or they were particularly young. To die without a Will is also known as dying “intestate.” If your loved one died intestate, knowing the answers to some pertinent questions can help your attorney better assist and advise you, such as whether or not the decedent was married, divorced, or has any children.
Attending your initial consultation with a probate attorney with all the necessary documents is just as crucial as being prepared with the right questions. Make sure you write your questions down to ensure you do not forget anything.
Speak to a Probate Attorney at Finley Williams Law, PA for the Legal Guidance
At Finley Williams Law, PA, our probate attorney helps you navigate the probate process or, if possible, avoid it altogether to save you time and money. No matter how complex your situation might be, you can count on our team to provide effective and knowledgeable advice and guidance you. We help clients from various walks of life and backgrounds and have a vast amount of insight into the probate process.
Contact our esteemed legal team today at (727) 280-6837 to schedule a complimentary case review.