Probate is the legal process of transferring the assets of a deceased person to their heirs and beneficiaries of their will. In Iowa, every estate must pass through probate, whether the person writes a will or not. If you have a question about probate for your own estate planning decisions or if you recently lost a family member and aren’t sure what your next steps are (including whether you have to go through probate), an experienced West Des Moines, IA, probate lawyer can help you.
Perhaps you have been named as an executor of a will and aren’t sure what your responsibilities are. An attorney from Johnston | Martineau PLLP can explain the fiduciary duties of the executor. Or maybe you were named as the estate administrator for a family member who dies intestate or without a will. We can guide you through this process, as well. For all your probate questions, call our offices for answers.
What Does A West Des Moines Probate Lawyer Do?
Our attorneys offer comprehensive probate-related services, explaining the legal steps of probating an estate in Iowa and offering guidance during your estate planning to help you avoid probate. We work with you to achieve your goals and preserve as much of the assets of the deceased as possible for their heirs. We can help you with matters such as:
- Locating, identifying, and properly valuing assets belonging to the deceased person, including bank accounts. Life insurance policies, contents of safety deposit boxes, and their personal property. Our firm uses expert assessors and, if necessary, forensic accountants to develop a full picture of the extent of the deceased’s person’s estate.
- We oversee the asset appraisal process and verify that each assessment is accurate. We also verify the legitimacy of independent appraisals that may have been among your loved one’s estate planning documents.
- Ensuring that all the property belonging to the estate is accounted for. We can also provide asset management services during the probate process, as long afterward as you wish.
- Collecting life insurance policies and managing these details, including searching for outstanding policies from a former employer.
- Drafting and filing any legal documents or motions required to move the estate through probate.
- Maintaining a proper accounting of all transactions enacted by the estate administrator or executor of the will.
- Evaluating the merits of debts owed by the estate and reviewing each creditor petition for accuracy and eligibility.
- Preparing the estate’s tax returns in each year it’s required for them to be filed.
We ensure that the remainder of the estate’s assets are distributed according to the terms of the will. If your family member dies without a will, we can ensure that the assets pass correctly to the heirs of the deceased, according to Iowa inheritance laws.
Solid Legal Advice For All Iowa Probate Concerns
If you need guidance through the probate process, whether you were named as the estate’s admin attorneys at or by an Iowa probate court, the attorneys at Johnston | Martineau PLLP can help you. We offer sound legal advice and answer all your questions about Iowa probate. Contact our firm today for a s of Iowa probate. Contact our firm today for a consultation with a professional West Des Moines probate lawyer.