When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to think straight and focus on anything. Yet for the person named as the administrator of the estate, that is exactly what they must do. Even when you are not mourning the loss of a loved one, taking on a series of tasks to identify, appraise, calculate, and distribute assets can be overwhelming and stressful. Add the loss of your family member to that, and many people do not know where to start. This is where Bratton Estate and Elder Care Attorneys come in. Our estate administration lawyers in Trenton, NJ can offer guidance to help you navigate the estate administration process or take on the entire process for you.
Call us today at 856-857-6007 to learn more about our estate administration and probate services in Trenton, NJ.
Navigating the Trenton, New Jersey, Estate Administration Process
Acting as an administrator of an estate or executor of a will is not an easy task, especially since it is something most people will only do once or twice during their lifetime. You must enter the will into probate then complete a series of specialized tasks. You will ensure all outstanding debts get paid and that any remaining assets get distributed as outlined in the will.
Thankfully, New Jersey makes the probate process simple. If the deceased lived in Trenton, NJ, you will need to visit the Mercer County Surrogate’s court to enter the will into probate. If it is a modern will prepared by an attorney, it is likely self-proving. This means you do not need to do anything else to prove it is authentic.
After entering the will into probate, you will begin to navigate a process to identify all assets and debts, pay them, and distribute any remaining funds or valuables. This process requires you to:
- Identify all financial accounts, including any debts or assets;
- Pay any outstanding debts and final expenses out of these accounts;
- Appraise any remaining valuables and assets;
- Calculate and pay any state or federal taxes due;
- Create and fund trusts as outlined in the estate plan;
- Make any charitable donations as outlined in the estate plan; and
- Distribute any remaining assets as designated in the will
Depending on the complexity of the estate and many other factors, this process can be relatively straightforward or very difficult. If you need help with administering a loved one’s estate, or if you want an estate administration lawyer to manage the entire process for you in Trenton, NJ, call Bratton Estate and Elder Care Attorneys today at 856-857-6007.
For a legal consultation with a estate administration lawyer in Trenton, call 856-857-6007
Let Bratton Estate and Elder Care Attorneys Handle Your Loved One’s Estate
When it comes to high-asset or complex estates, or when you do not have a lot of time to dedicate to the administration process, it is often more cost effective to let a lawyer take on these duties for you. Handing over the estate administration to Bratton Estate and Elder Care Attorneys can lower your stress and give you more time to focus on spending time with your family.
An estate administration lawyer in Trenton, NJ can take on your case and provide you with the support and services you need to ensure everything goes as it is supposed to based on your loved one’s estate plan. The services we provide to settle your loved one’s estate may include:
- Walking you through the probate process, or managing it for you
- Appraising any real estate, accounts, and other assets
- Identifying an appraiser who can value unique collections or assets
- Calculating the overall value of the estate
- Calculating any state and federal taxes owed
- Explaining the tax implications, if necessary, of decisions you make
- Managing charity donations and a plan to give as outlined in the estate plan
- Filing any necessary inheritance tax paperwork and reporting charitable gifts
- Creating and funding any trusts included in the estate plan
- Mediating any conflicts that may arise between potential heirs
- Representing you and your best interests if estate litigation occurs
- Filing appropriate releases and performing searches
Trenton Estate Administration Lawyer 856-857-6007
Let Us Administer Your Loved One’s Estate to Reduce the Risk of Disputes
When you trust Bratton Estate and Elder Care Attorneys to administer your loved one’s Trenton, NJ estate, we can greatly reduce the risk of conflicts, disputes, and litigation. One of the greatest sources of disputes during the probate process is when one or a group of potential heirs disagree with the choice of an administrator or the decisions the administrator makes. When a law firm handles this process, it virtually eliminates this type of complaint.
If there is a conflict, our attorneys will use proven dispute resolution techniques to try to prevent it from escalating into a full-fledged dispute. Using mediation or other techniques, we can often prevent litigation. However, if litigation becomes necessary, we can represent you and your best interests in court.
We Can Help You Create Your Own Estate Plan
After navigating a difficult probate process or settling an estate dispute that threatened to sever the relationships with surviving family members, many of our clients express a desire in preventing their children and grandchildren from going through the same thing after they pass away. Our attorneys can help them create a comprehensive estate plan that will stand up to scrutiny if necessary.
If you need help with your estate plan, creating a trust, or taking other steps to ensure your estate is managed properly after your death, call us today at 856-857-6007. We offer a wide range of services to help you make things easier on your family after you pass away.
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Talk to an Estate Administration Lawyer in Trenton, NJ
If you need the help of an estate administration lawyer in Trenton, NJ, the team from Bratton Estate and Elder Care Attorneys is here for you. You can make an appointment to visit our office in Haddonfield, Moorestown, Linwood, or Ewing, NJ, or Philadelphia, PA.
Call 856-857-6007 today to set a time to discuss your needs with our team.
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