Easton, PA Probate Lawyer

If you live in or near Easton, Pennsylvania, and are mourning the recent loss of a family member, let us first say how sorry we are. We know that the death of a loved one can be incredibly difficult emotionally, but it can also be difficult legally if your loved one died without an estate plan in place. They may not have realized it, but if they didn’t have an estate plan – even if they did have a will – their assets will likely have to undergo a Pennsylvania court process known as probate before you or any of their other beneficiaries can receive them. Probate can be confusing. Our Easton probate lawyer can explain and simplify the probate process so you and your family can have peace of mind! Call today to book your free consultation and learn more about your next steps.

How Probate Works In Pennsylvania

Probate, which is also sometimes referred to as estate administration, is a legal process that may need to occur after someone passes away in the state of Pennsylvania. Basically, probate is a series of procedures that transfers the money and possessions owned in the name of a deceased person to the names of their heirs. If your loved one didn’t own anything in their name alone, or owned assets in a trust, their estate may not have to go through probate; if their estate is valued at less than $50,000, it may be able to go through a simplified form of Pennsylvania probate; otherwise, traditional probate proceedings may be required. 

Probate begins by submitting the will and death certificate to the court. If your loved one didn’t leave a will behind, Pennslyvania’s “intestacy” laws will govern how probate unfolds. If there was a will, the personal representative or estate executor who was named in the will will be appointed by the court to oversee probate. Being appointed in this role carries many legal responsibilities, as there are many tasks that must be completed before the estate can be settled and probate can be closed. 

Because probate is notoriously time-consuming, expensive, and stressful, if you live in or near Easton, Pennsylvania (or if your deceased loved one lived here) and you have been named as the personal representative/estate executor, the wisest course of action is to enlist the guidance of a knowledgeable Easton probate lawyer who can handle all probate matters for you. 

What Can Our Easton Probate Lawyer Do For You?

When you are grieving a loved one’s death, dealing with legal paperwork is the last thing you want to be doing. Probate can take several months or even over two years, in some cases, to be resolved; it can also be extremely expensive, especially if you make mistakes that result in additional fines or prolong the process. That’s why it’s important to have a probate lawyer on your side who can help you avoid the legal pitfalls and save you time, money, and stress. 

Attorney Joshua N. Daly, our lead Easton probate lawyer, can guide you every step of the way through probate. He will…

• Take the time to listen to you and get to know you so he can provide personalized advice that is applicable to your unique situation
• Determine whether your loved one’s estate will need to go through probate or whether it can be avoided/simplified
• Explain your legal options in terms that are easy for you to comprehend (not legalese)
• Answer any questions you have about the probate process
• File the will and death certificate with the court of the county in which the deceased person lived (on your behalf)
• File a petition for probate (on your behalf)
• Get sworn statements from the will’s witnesses and file them with the court (on your behalf)
• Send formal written notice to the will’s beneficiaries and creditors (on your behalf)
• Take inventory of and value your deceased loved one’s assets
• File an estate tax return and pay taxes (when appropriate, on your behalf)
• Negotiate/settle debts with creditors and pay them (on your behalf)
• Prepare a final accounting (on your behalf)
• Distribute assets to heirs and beneficiaries (on your behalf)
• And more.

If your loved one was like most Easton, PA residents, they may not have known that creating a comprehensive estate plan could have saved you and your family from having to go through the hassle of probate, or perhaps they simply ran out of time. Besides helping you navigate probate, our law firm can also help you plan ahead and get an effective estate plan so that when you pass away, your family doesn’t have to face probate at all. 

Why Choose Daly Law Offices

Attorney Joshua N. Daly has 15 years of experience leading grieving Pennsylvania families through the probate process. His skill and reputation for excellence has earned him membership of the prestigious National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PA l ELA), and Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley, in addition to being awarded the Lawyers of Distinction 2022. When you work with our Easton probate lawyer, you can be confident that you are receiving the highest level of dedicated attention and quality service. Daly Law Offices provides practical solutions, professional integrity, and peace of mind for all of our clients! We’re focused on you and helping you deal with the legalities of probate so you and your family can move forward with your lives. Call today to book your free consultation and discover more about how we can assist you with your probate needs.