Estate Administration and Probate

The sadness of losing a loved one is incomparable. In addition to dealing with emotional pain, family members must face the burden of managing the legal and financial affairs of the deceased individual in a timely manner. 

At Ettinger Law Firm, our practice focuses on estate planning and elder law. Compassion and thoughtfulness are the keystones of our estate administration and probate settlement process. You can count on our team to educate you on the legal aspects impacting your situation while making the information accessible and easier to understand. 

Estate Administration and Probate

Probate is an area where many clients need guidance and advice. This legal procedure involves the court-supervised distribution of the deceased person's assets after the payment of debts, taxes, probate court fees and other applicable expenses. 

While family members sometimes believe that their loved one made the appropriate arrangements to minimize the impact of probate, they often discover this is not the case. Your Ettinger Law Firm estate administration and probate attorney can advise you on post-death planning strategies that could rectify the situation by easing the tax consequences for the heirs and pursuing other legal remedies. 

Trustee's Duties Upon the Death of the Grantor

An estate trustee is an individual charged with managing a trust — a legal arrangement in which the maker of the trust, also called the grantor, gives a trustee the authority to manage property or assets for the benefit of a third party. This third party is the beneficiary of the trust.

After the grantor dies, the trustee will need to manage the trust according to the grantor's instructions, as outlined in the trust.

Our firm can provide reliable guidance to the trustee regarding the proper steps to take upon the grantor's death. These actions include various legal and practical responsibilities, such as locating and reviewing the decedent's important papers, obtaining copies of the death certificate, and compiling a list of assets and their value. 

Using a Professional Trustee to Settle the Estate

We can help you decide if choosing a professional trustee is a better alternative to a family member or other known individual to fill this crucial role. Potential benefits include avoiding familial conflicts and eliminating concerns about self-dealing.

Why Choose Ettinger Law Firm?

As one of the largest elder law and trust and estate planning law firms in New York, Ettinger Law Firm has the knowledge, resources and experience to help you navigate challenging estate administration and probate legal matters. Despite our size, we will provide the compassionate, personalized attention you demand and deserve. Our low-key approach enables you to make these crucial decisions without pressure.

Contact Our Firm to Learn More

Do you have questions about estate administration and probate or need help setting up an estate plan? Take the next step and call Ettinger Law Firm or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation today. No fees are due until we finish setting up your estate plan and you are completely satisfied.