St. Petersburg Estate Administration Attorney
Estate administration is a complicated process which can take hundreds of hours for even relatively small estates. Many people serve as the personal representative of a parent’s estate, and they quickly realize they are in over their heads. They do not understand what steps to take or even where to seek answers to their questions. Call Fisher & Wilsey, P.A. today for assistance. We are a team of St. Petersburg estate administration attorneys, and we help navigate you through probate and other features of administration.
Why Estate Administration is So Confusing
At its simplest, estate administration involves securing a deceased person’s assets, paying off their debts, and then distributing what remains to those identified in a will (if there is one). The personal representative is tasked with performing this job. When a person creates a will, they name someone to serve in this capacity, although the probate court is ultimately responsible for issuing letters of administration.
Unfortunately, many person representatives quickly run into roadblocks and other problems:
- Hundreds of hours spent tracking down estate assets and struggling to retake possession of property.
- Confusing choices about how to protect assets through the administration process, such as whether to purchase insurance or storage.
- Questionable creditor claims lacking necessary documentation.
- Threats of lawsuits against the estate, including claims from creditors.
- Family disagreements about why the process is taking so long or whether the will is even valid.
An estate administration attorney can bring clarity and a sense of order to the process. Our team knows how to:
- Discover estate assets, secure them, and protect them.
- Analyze and negotiate creditor claims and other debts.
- File all required paperwork with the probate court.
- Resolve family disputes fairly.
- Close down accounts in the proper order, including bank and retirement accounts.
- File required tax returns for the deceased and the estate.
- Disburse assets to beneficiaries or heirs.
Administration is a time-consuming process. Although a personal representative can be paid for their time, the work involved often feels thankless. Get the legal help you are entitled to with an experienced law firm who understands the administration process from start to finish. Call Fisher & Wilsey today.
Personal Representatives Deserve Legal Help
As the personal representative, you have legal obligations to perform your duties with an appropriate degree of care. One misstep could result in a lawsuit or other legal action. For this reason, obtaining experienced legal assistance can provide peace of mind and smooth out the administration of the estate.
We have helped personal representatives with accounting, tax, finance, and investment issues. We know how to hire appropriate experts to assist with administration. Some estates are more complex than others, but every representative should feel confident while discharging their duties.
Call Our Firm to Discuss Estate Administration
A St. Petersburg estate administration attorney can provide answers to any pressing questions and help solve probate issues, including whether to pay a creditor claim or how to protect assets until you disburse them. Contact our office to schedule a private consultation with an attorney.
