When a person passes away, their estate often goes through probate, a legal process to distribute their assets. Whether or not the deceased left a will significantly impacts how probate unfolds. Understanding these differences helps you prepare for either scenario....
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Probate and Trust Administration
When do you need a probate attorney?
Probate can be a complex legal process that arises after someone passes away. While some estates proceed smoothly without legal assistance, others require the guidance of a probate attorney. Understanding when to seek legal help can prevent costly mistakes and ensure...
How going through probate can affect families
Probate is a term that often brings to mind images of lengthy court battles and disputing family members. It is true that probate can significantly impact families-- emotionally, financially and relationally, but learning about this ahead of time can help you make...
Do I Need to Go Through Probate?
Probate is the legal process that families typically use to settle the estate of someone who has passed away. In Oklahoma, probate may be necessary depending on the assets and circumstances involved. Understanding when you must go through probate, and when there is...
Special needs trusts: protecting government benefit eligibility
When developing a care plan for someone with special needs or a disability, caregivers often establish a Special Needs Trust (SNT) to manage financial resources for a beneficiary. Through proper planning, caregivers ensure continued care and eligibility for government...
Understanding contested estates in Oklahoma
Dealing with contested estates can be complex and stressful. Knowing when to take your case to court in Oklahoma is crucial for resolving disputes effectively. Common reasons for contesting an estate Estates are often contested for several reasons. The validity of the...
How an Oklahoma executor should notify creditors
Becoming the executor of an estate involves important duties that you cannot neglect without incurring legal consequences. While you will be in charge of dispersing assets to beneficiaries, you must also ensure that any possible creditors know that they have a window...
Dispelling 5 common myths about probate
In Oklahoma, probate is a court-supervised legal process that occurs after a person dies. It ensures the payment of the deceased's debts and distribution of assets to beneficiaries as specified in their will. If there is no valid will, state intestacy laws decide the...
When may someone contest a will during probate in Oklahoma?
Under Title 58 of Oklahoma’s statutes, an interested party may contest a will within three months of its submission to the probate court. Filing a claim, however, requires evidence, and it could lengthen the probate process. If an interested party claims to have proof...
The process of probate
In Oklahoma, when a person passes away, their assets and property must go through a legal process known as probate. Probate is a court-supervised process that ensures paying the deceased person's debts and giving their assets to the beneficiaries named in their will....