Probate & Trust Administration

P “Probate” generally refers to the court process by which a deceased person’s assets and debts are collected and paid off and the remainder distributed to the surviving family members or other persons, depending on whether the deceased person had a valid written Will or died without a Will in place. Having a Will, by itself, does not mean that a person is able to avoid probate. Depending on how a person’s assets are held at the time of death, a probate proceeding may or may not be necessary. To some, probate seems like a complex and intimidating area of the law, particularly during a period of grief after losing a loved one. Attorney Michael D. Burville will guide and counsel you through this time and process and identify the least difficult means by which your loved one’s affairs can be handled.

In the event that a decedent established a living trust, or in the event that a trust is to be created pursuant to the terms of a Will, the person(s) serving as trustee face a somewhat confusing array of requirements for handling assets, distributing assets, continuing maintenance of assets over a number of years, tax return filing requirements, and annual accounting to trust beneficiary requirements, to name a few. An attorney can assist you in establishing a framework by which you can confidently and accurately meet each of your obligations as a trustee. If you are named as a beneficiary of a trust, Burville Law Office, P.A. can counsel you as to your rights and the duties of the trustee of the trust in the event you question whether the trustee is properly administering the trust.

We are here to help make probate or trust administration an understandable process. Contact us today for a no cost phone consultation or to schedule an office visit to discuss your particular situation.