What All Paralegals Must Know About the Probate Process

Learn the procedures and laws applicable to the probate process to better assist your clients.

Setting expectations at the initial meeting with a probate client, while challenging because of the client's emotional state, is critical to a successful probate. Frequently, the client fails to absorb much, if any, of the information being conveyed and the attorney or paralegal finds themselves repeating the same information or answering the same questions multiple times throughout the process, which is inefficient, frustrating and costly. Too often the executor and beneficiaries do not understand the amount of time involved, or why a simple estate takes so long and complain about fees incurred, time spent and the inefficient process. This topic will provide tips and tricks to professionals on the front lines to combat these issues, help provide ways to ensure that the clients are aware of the process as a whole and give guidelines to set realistic goals, deadlines and expectations. In addition, the goal of this material is to give professionals additional tools to understand, manage and navigate the probate process from start to finish, by providing information and checklists to help manage creditors' claims, important deadlines and track probate and non-probate assets. Finally, probate professionals will walk away with a clear picture of the probate process and a better understanding of how to avoid common problems associated with probate administration.