Schedule a Consultation Today  |  624 North Front Street, Wormleysburg, PA 17043

Law Blog

Probate Is the Process of Transferring Property

Legally, probate is the process of authenticating the will of a deceased person, reviewing their assets, paying their debts and taxes, and distributing their remaining assets to their heirs. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will’s executor to administer the probate process. In the absence of a will, the court will […]

Legally, probate is the process of authenticating the will of a deceased person, reviewing their assets, paying their debts and taxes, and distributing their remaining assets to their heirs. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will’s executor to administer the probate process. In the absence of a will, the court will appoint a state administrator to handle probate. Probate law varies by state, but there are steps in the process that are common.

First, an executor is appointed and is normally the person named in the will. It is the executor’s responsibility to initiate the probate process. An executor can be a family member, a financial advisor, or any person the testator deemed capable of administering their estate. The executor files the will with the probate court, which initiates the probate process. A court officially appoints the executor as named in the will, giving the executor legal authority to act on the testator’s behalf.

The executor’s function is to locate and oversee all of the estate’s assets and to determine each asset’s value. The majority of the deceased’s assets are subject to the probate court, where the deceased lived at the time of their death. Real estate is an exception, and probate may extend to any county where the real estate is located.

The executor will pay any taxes and debts owed by the deceased from the estate. A notice of death is published and creditors are given a limited time to make claims against the estate for any money owed to them. If the executor rejects the claim, the creditor may take them to court, where a probate judge will determine the debt’s validity. The executor is responsible for filing the deceased’s final, personal income tax returns. The executor’s last task, via court authorization, is to distribute what remains of the estate to the beneficiaries.

Probate is required for any asset or account that does not have a joint owner or beneficiary named.  If a joint owner or beneficiary is named then the title changes automatically and probate becomes unnecessary.

If a person dies without a will, they are said to have died intestate. An estate can also be deemed instate if the will presented to the court is found to be invalid. The decedent’s assets of an intestate estate follow a similar probate process, beginning with the appointment of an administrator. An administrator functions like an executor, receiving all legal claims against the estate, paying outstanding debts, and the decedent’s taxes.

Administrators must also seek out legal heirs, including surviving spouses, parents, and children. The probate court will determine the distribution of the estate among its legal heirs. In the absence of any family or other heirs, the remaining assets go to the state.

The more complex or contested an estate is, the longer the probate process can take to finalize. The longer the process, the higher the cost. Probate without a will typically costs more than probate with a valid will, but neither scenario is inexpensive. The probate court files an estate’s assets as a matter of public record, so if you want to keep your estate private, it is best to pursue other estate planning options such as a trust.

As estate planning attorneys, we can help you determine what planning tools are best for you. We hope you found this article helpful. Please contact us today at (717) 232-4701 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal matters.

Nov 14, 2022 | Estate Planning

Check Out Our Downloadable Guides

Our team has the knowledge and experience to provide you with sound legal advice and representation.

About Cherewka Law

We are a law firm in Harrisburg, PA dedicated to providing comprehensive, highly personalized planning services to individuals, couples, families and businesses.

Start the Conversation

Send us a message today!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download Your Elder Care Planning Guide Today

Learn how you can begin planning for the care of the elders in your life. Receive a download of our most current Elder Care Planning Guide by clicking the download button and filling out your information.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download Your Probate & Estate Administration Guide Today

Learn where you stand in your Estate Administration process. Receive a download of our most current Estate Administration Guide by filling out the form below.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Download Your Estate Planning Guide Today

Learn where you stand in your Estate Planning process. Receive a download of our most current Estate Planning Guide by filling out the form below.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Call Now Button