A probate attorney is a state-licensed lawyer who can help the Executor of a Will (if one was appointed) or the beneficiaries of an estate get through probate as they work to settle an estate.
A California estate planning lawyer will evaluate your goals and help you determine which will and trust work best for you. They can draft legal documents that are legally compliant with the most up to date California laws and that will be effective when you and your family need to use them!
Consider seeking referrals from trusted sources and check online reviews for additional perspectives. Personal Compatibility: The probate process can be emotionally taxing, making it important to choose an attorney with whom you feel comfortable discussing personal matters.
An estate planning attorney specializes in helping individuals and families create legal documents and strategies to manage their assets, plan for inheritance, and minimize taxes after death.
If you cant afford an attorney you can see if you qualify for legal aid services to do the case completely pro-bono or at a reduced rated depending upon your household income.
The average contingency rate falls between 20-40%, with most lawyers charging around 33% to 35% of the total amount recovered in a case. The exact percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the stage at which the case is resolved.
The Health Care Surrogate Act allows family members or friends to make medical decisions in an emergency or serious health situation when a person with special needs cannot make medical decisions for himself and if no relevant power of attorney or similar is in effect.
Any power of attorney automatically ends at your death. A durable POA also ends if: You revoke it. As long as you are mentally competent, you can revoke your document at any time.
When there's no will, an estate administrator is appointed by the probate court in Illinois. Preference is often given to the deceased's spouse or adult children.
Who Gets What in Illinois? If you die with:here's what happens: spouse but no descendants spouse inherits everything spouse and descendants spouse inherits 1/2 of your intestate property descendants inherit 1/2 of your intestate property parents but no spouse, descendants, or siblings parents inherit everything3 more rows