Rock Hill, SC Probate / Estate Administration Lawyer Attorney Law Firm

When a loved one passes away, his or her estate often goes through a court-managed program called “probate” or “estate administration.” This is where the court oversees the distribution of the assets in the deceased’s estate. The length of time needed to complete the probate process varies depending on the size and complexity of the estate as well as the local rules and schedule of the probate court overseeing the estate administration. If the decedent’s assets were owned through a well drafted and properly funded living trust, it is likely that probate will not be necessary. In that case, the estate would be administered by the successor trustee.

Every probate estate is unique, but most involve the following steps:

Filing of a petition with the appropriate probate court
Notice to heirs under the will or statute, if no will exists
Petition to appoint a Personal Representative, if there is a will, or an estate administrator
Inventory and appraisal of estate assets, a list of all estate assets along with their value
Payment of estate debt to rightful creditors
Sale of estate assets
Payment if estate taxes, if applicable
Final distribution of assets to heirs

All papers submitted to the court during the probate process are public record, including your will, list of assets and asset values. This means anyone can request a copy of your will and a list of what you own and where your assets are held. This can be avoided through various estate planning options. The Khaled Law Firm can assist you in avoiding probate in a manner that is quick, inexpensive and private.

Our law firm represents clients from all areas of SC, including, but not limited to, York County, Lancaster County, Chester County, Union County, Cherokee County, Fairfield County, Spartanburg County, and Chesterfield County. This includes the areas of Rock Hill, York, Lancaster, Chester, Indian Land, Sun City, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, Tega Cay, Clover, McConnells, Lowrys, Lewis, Rodman, Edgemoor, Lesslie, Catawba, Van Wyck, Lando, Bethany, Lockhart, Hickory Grove, Sharon, Smyrna, Union, Carlisle, Whitmire, Shelton, Fort Lawn, Great Falls, White Oak, Blacksburg, Gaffney and Spartanburg. Affiliated through the North Carolina Law Office of Frank Hancock, our firm handles cases throughout NC including, but not limited to, Gaston County and Mecklenburg County, encompassing the areas of Charlotte, Pineville, Ballentyne, Gastonia, and Monroe. Attorney Khaled’s name is sometimes misspelled as Julia Kahled, Julia Khalid, Julia Kahlid, Julia Kuled, Julia Caled and Julia Colette. Attorney Schultz’s name is sometimes misspelled as Tara Shultz, Tara Schulz, Tara Schulze and Tara Shulz.