If a loved one has passed away, the last thing you want to do is deal with the legal complexity of a probate in a court. Let an experienced probate attorney protect your rights and guide you through the probate process during this difficult time.
The estate administration attorneys at Gellner Law have been handling estate and probate matters on behalf of clients in the King County area for more than 35 years. We understand that the death of a family member, whether sudden or expected after a long illness, is a troubling time. We offer compassionate legal counseling and guide survivors and the personal representative of the estate through the probate administration process.
To schedule a consultation with one of our Seattle area lawyers, call 425-235-5535.
Understanding Probate Law In Washington State
The probate process can be complex, but with the help of an experienced probate law attorney, it need not be overly stressful or expensive. All estates, whether or not the person had a will, usually go through probate, except in the following cases:
- Estates consisting of only personal property and valued at less than $100,000 can be handled through a simple, nonprobate procedure.
- Assets covered in a community property agreement can bypass probate and pass directly to the surviving spouse.
- Assets held in a living trust or other types of trusts bypass probate and pass to the trustee on behalf of beneficiaries.
- A simple piece of property with clear title may be allowed to bypass probate.
- Assets such as life insurance and financial accounts with contractual pay-on-death designations can bypass probate.
Gellner Law also handles ancillary probate, which involves the court-supervised transfer of titles to property located in Washington and owned by a person who died while a resident of another state or country. In addition, we are skilled in low-cost alternatives to probate.
Efficient Assistance To Relieve Your Concerns
Gellner Law is dedicated to alleviating anxieties and helping clients settle an estate while minimizing time, expense and hassles. If you have been appointed by a probate court to administer an estate, we will guide you through the process, helping as much or as little as needed with the following:
- Applying for life insurance or retirement benefits
- Filing federal income tax returns
- Filing inheritance tax and estate tax returns (large estates)
- Finding and inventorying assets and debts
- Identifying heirs and legally distributing the remaining assets
- Notifying creditors and paying legitimate debts of the estate
- Opening and managing an estate and proving the will
- Preventing fraud
- Protecting the personal representative
- Protecting vulnerable heirs
- Selling or transferring a business, real estate or other assets
- Transferring inherited IRAs and retirement benefits to nonspouse beneficiaries
- Transferring IRAs and retirement benefits to spouses, tax-free
- Transferring trust powers to the successor trustee
Schedule A Consultation
To schedule your initial consultation, contact our Kent, Washington, probate attorneys at Gellner Law by calling 425-235-5535 or contacting us by email. Our compassion and knowledge will help you resolve your probate matter in the smoothest fashion possible.
