Experienced Legal Guidance Through The Estate Administration Process
After the death of a loved one, it is necessary to settle their estate and honor their final wishes regarding inheritance. This is the personal representative’s responsibility, and it can be a long, complicated job. Fortunately, personal representatives in Tacoma have the right to seek assistance from an experienced estate administration attorney.
Our attorneys at Bottimore & Associates, P.L.L.C., have more than 30 years of experience in Washington State probate law. We help personal representatives move their loved one’s estate through probate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, and minimize the risk of litigation.
The Personal Representative’s Duties
Whether the decedent left behind an estate plan or not, their estate may still need to be probated, though probate is not necessary in every case under Washington law. This depends on factors like the estate’s value, whether they had placed assets into a trust, or if somebody wishes to challenge the will’s validity. In every case, the personal representative, commonly known as the “executor” of the estate, must submit the decedent’s will, if there is one, to the probate court in the county where the decedent lived, generally within 40 days of the death.
When probate is necessary, the steps involved can include:
- Proving the will is valid
- Inventorying the decedent’s property and getting it appraised
- Paying off any debts the decedent left behind, such as a mortgage, credit card bills or auto loan
- Distributing the remaining assets to the heirs as the will directs
Most personal representatives have little or no experience with these tasks but want to do the best job they can. Attorney Leslie Bottimore has guided personal representatives in estate administration for decades. She and the rest of our team can help you complete probate with minimal delay, stress and expense, so that the heirs receive their rightful inheritances in a timely manner.
Discuss Estate Administration
Contact Bottimore & Associates, P.L.L.C., to schedule an appointment. Call 253-780-7622 or use our online form.