In the movies, heroes and heroines are constantly being approached by mysterious strangers who have come to administer a long-lost relative’s will or trust. Generally, our protagonist is handed some mystical object or perhaps given the keys to a house, and thus — the film takes off on some grand adventure.
Unfortunately, this is one of the many things that the movies got wrong. When the time comes to distribute a loved one’s assets and property, the process is rarely simple and never easy. Outside of the pain of loss, there’s the paperwork and the emotional strain of having to comb through your loved one’s possessions. And, as you can imagine, the process becomes even more difficult when there is a disagreement between the people involved.
For all these reasons, it’s important to work with an empathetic attorney who is well versed in estate planning, probate, and (should the need arise) estate litigation. Not to worry — all of these terms are defined below.
If you’ve recently lost a loved one, let me first say that I’m sorry for your loss, and I hope the legal proceedings that follow are as easy as possible on you and your family.
However, if those proceedings are causing you some trouble, I’m here to help. For instance, these are among the most common reasons you may need to seek the help of a qualified estate litigation attorney:
If such a complication is putting unnecessary strain on your situation, don’t wait to get the legal support you need.
Correctly handling your loved one’s will or trust is especially difficult when you’re being bombarded with a lot of unfamiliar legal terminology. Let’s simplify things by defining some of the terms you’re most likely to hear throughout this process:
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of probate and estate-related terms. However, it is my hope that this cheat sheet will help you gain a fuller understanding of your situation. Still, I strongly encourage you to give my office a call to get the representation and support you need through the probate, estate, and/or litigation process.
Even the best laid estate plans can lead to complications and disputes among heirs, beneficiaries, and debt collectors. If you’re having trouble administering a loved one’s will or trust, give my law office a call. For more than 30 years, I have successfully guided people throughout San Diego County on these matters.
