Estate Planning | Making a Difference One Family at a Time

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Westport probate attorneys will assist you with all of the steps that you need to take after a loved one has passed on. There are many different steps that need to occur after a death, and unfortunately you are often left trying to tackle these difficult issues while coping with the grief of your loved one being gone.  Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates aims to make the process as stress-fee and simple as possible for you by handling the legal issues on your behalf.  westport probate attorneys

Whether you have been named as an executor of an estate in a will or you are otherwise coping with the death of someone close to you, you should reach out today to talk with Westport probate attorneys at our firm. We can help you to protect your rights, understand your obligations, and wind up the affairs of the estate in a timely manner. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help you.

What to Expect After a Loved One’s Death

After a loved one has passed away, there are many different legal and financial issues that need to be taken care of. For example:

  • You’ll need to submit life insurance claims to be paid: If the deceased person (the decedent) had a life insurance policy, you will want to make certain that you start the process of claiming the death benefit as soon as possible as claiming this benefit can take time. You will need a copy of the death certificate in order to be able to make a benefits claim.
  • You’ll typically need to go through the probate process: After most deaths, assets transfer through the probate process.  The probate process can take around a year to complete, according to Investopedia. The process begins when the appropriate forms are filed with the court. If there was a will that named an executor of an estate, the court must officially appoint that executor of an estate. Otherwise, the court will appoint an estate administration or personal representative. The executor of an estate or personal representative will move the estate through the probate process, ultimately transferring assets to the new owners.
  • Assets will need to be managed until being transferred: Until the assets owned by the decedent are formally transferred to new owners, they will need to be appropriately managed. Typically, the executor of an estate or personal representative is in charge of managing estate assets. This involves making a full account of assets in the estate. Heirs or beneficiaries should monitor to ensure that assets are being managed in an appropriate way.
  • The trust administration process may occur: If the decedent had created a trust during the course of his lifetime, assets that were held within the trust will transfer through the trust administration. This process is typically much simpler than the probate process and there is no need for court involvement unless some type of problem arises such as someone wishing to contest the trust or someone arguing that the trust administrator has breached his fiduciary duty.

There may also be additional issues that arise after a person has passed away.  It is important to make sure you are fulfilling your obligations and protecting your rights after a death has happened. Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can represent those who stand to inherit ass well as anyone who has been named as the executor of an estate or who has been named a personal representative.

Getting Help from Westport Probate Attorneys

Westport probate attorneys at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can help with many of the complicated issues that you need to face following a death. We can help with the probate process, with the trust administration process if your loved one created a trust, and with handling issues related to insurance claims. We can also work with the executor of an estate to facilitate the formal transfer of ownership of the deceased’s assets and to fulfill other requirements involved in probate.

To find out more about how our firm can help you, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at 860-548-1000 or contact us online today.

Barry D. Horowitz, Estate Planning Attorney
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