Law Offices of Raquel S. White, LLC

Most people are familiar with Wills as they are one of the basic elements of estate planning.  A Will is a legal document that explains how you want your property and assets distributed after you die.  It allows you to say who you want to carry out your wishes and gives you a chance to nominate a guardian for your minor children.  In short, a Will puts you in control and gives you the last word after you have died.  Given everything a Will allows you to do, it is surprising that about half of all Americans die without one.

Probate is the court-supervised process of winding up your affairs.  Many people associate probate with large costs and even bigger hassles and think that the smart thing to do is to avoid it all together.  Contrary to this popular belief, the probate of most estates runs smoothly.  The court’s supervision ensures that your outstanding debts, taxes and claims against you are paid and that your remaining assets are divided among your heirs.  Whether a person died with a will (referred to as “testate”) or died without a will (referred to as “intestate”), probate is a necessary process in most cases.  When you die testate, the court makes decisions regarding your estate using your Will as a guide.  When you die intestate, the court and the state make those decisions for you.

The probate process is easier on all involved if the correct planning has been done in advance.  Let us help you with that process.

Disclaimer:  The information contained within the Law Office of Raquel S. White, LLC website is intended for informational purposes only.  The content, including any publications and links, is not intended as professional advice and should not be used as such.  The users of our website should not consider any information on our website as forming an attorney/client relationship.  By using this website, you acknowledge that nothing on this website is intended to be construed as legal advice.