The Last Thing on Your Mind
When a loved one passes away, there are a lot of things to consider. You have to notify friends and family members and plan a funeral. One thing that might not immediately come to mind is probate. Probate in Oklahoma is the process of settling the estate of someone who has passed away. Sometimes, if the person who passed away used estate planning, probate can be avoided. The last thing you want to do is spend day after day in court rehashing your loved one’s wishes and hoping they will be honored. At Wirth Law Office, our Chickasha probate attorneys know the ins and outs of Oklahoma probate laws. We want to help simplify and expedite the complex process.
What is Probate?
You may not know much about planning a funeral, but that doesn’t require legal representation. However, probate is one thing that happens after a loved one’s death that you’re better off not handling alone. You’ll still want to get involved in the Oklahoma probate process, but it’s easier and quicker with legal counsel. If you don’t step in, your loved one’s wishes may be disregarded and the decisions regarding their estate will instead be left up to strangers. The Oklahoma probate checklist is a list of legal requirements that must be met. It includes validating the will, inventorying their assets, appraising their property, settling their debts, paying taxes, and distributing their estate according to their will. If they do not have a formal will, Oklahoma probate laws will determine how to distribute the estate.
Why Do I Need a Probate Attorney?
While you are legally entitled to handle probate without legal counsel, it is not recommended. The Oklahoma probate process is long and complicated, especially if things like child custody are involved. The Chickasha probate attorneys at Wirth Law Office can guide you through it. We have experience and expertise in handling probate, including dealing with tax laws, notification requirements, real estate laws, executor selection laws, will laws, and debt laws. On top of that are deadlines, disputes, and multiple interested parties to account for. There are Oklahoma probate court forms to complete and court policies and procedures to follow. You don’t have to do it alone. You can find comfort in the fact that your loved one’s estate is in trustworthy hands.
How Long Does Probate Take?
Probate in Oklahoma can potentially take a long time to complete. Because the process is so complicated, it takes longer when the parties involved struggle to understand what is happening and what must be done. It takes about ten days to schedule a probate hearing and have a personal representative assigned to your case. After that, a simple estate could take from 6-12 months, according to the Oklahoma Bar Association. To avoid the physical and mental strain that a long, drawn-out probate process can cause, turn to the skilled Chickasha probate attorneys at Wirth Law Office.
Low-cost Consultation with Chickasha Probate Attorney
Are you ready to seek out legal counsel that can simplify probate and ease your burdens? The Chickasha probate attorneys at Wirth Law Office are ready to talk to you. With knowledge and experience in Oklahoma probate laws, we can make the process quicker and easier for you. When you’re facing the loss of a loved one, you don’t need the added stress of settling their estate. Let us handle the legal aspects while you tend to the personal. Contact us today at (405) 272-4100 or fill out the form at the top of this page.