Probate

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always challenging. There are so many details to cover when trying to pick up the pieces after the fact, and it can be a bit overwhelming. Now is not the time when you should be worrying about how to deal with the aftermath of a loved one’s passing. For that reason, you want to contact Russo & Rieke to handle all of your legal needs, including probate.

Since each state can have different probate laws, it’s imperative that you have a legal team that understands how to comply with each one. At Russo & Rieke, we have years of experience in probate, so we can help you navigate through these sometimes complex regulations.

Filing and Preparing Documents

No matter where you live, there is a lot of paperwork involved in the probate process. Right now you don’t want to be filling out and preparing forms to submit to the government, so let our legal team handle it for you. We know what papers need to be filed to ensure that everything runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Testate vs. Intestate

If the deceased had a last will and testament, then managing their estate and assets after the fact will be a relatively straightforward process. We take care of everything so that you can focus on what matters, rather than trying to figure out how to distribute any belongings or assets after the fact.

Even if your loved one did not have a will, we can still make this process as simplified and worry-free as possible. We know that you’re going through a difficult period, so our goal is to provide you with the best services we can. We’ll make sure that the decedent’s assets are handled with the utmost respect. Although we do have to follow local intestacy laws, we’ll still keep you up-to-date on everything as it happens.

Advice and Mediation

We understand that sometimes family members and beneficiaries can disagree. The death of a loved one is never easy to handle, and dealing with probate afterward can only add stress to the situation. At Russo &Rieke, we can provide mediation services, as well as advice on how to proceed with asset and estate distribution. Our goal is to provide an objective and comprehensive analysis of the situation so that you can figure out the best way to proceed.

Even if things escalate, we’ll be there to represent you and your loved one so that things don’t get ugly.

Locating and Appraising Assets

In some cases, a decedent can have multiple estates across state lines. As such, there are going to be a variety of probate laws that go into effect after their death. Since the proceedings can get complicated relatively fast, we make sure to be as thorough and detailed as possible.

Part of our responsibility is to locate and appraise any assets belonging to the decedent. You shouldn’t have to worry about doing this yourself, as it can be somewhat laborious and tedious. Our legal team will make sure that all appraisals are handled fairly, and we’ll do as much digging as necessary to locate any assets that may not be readily available.

Paying Life Insurance

Like the IRS, most of us don’t like dealing with insurance companies, especially when it’s trying to collect a claim. Our team will make sure that any policy that was in place before your loved one’s death is handled properly so that any beneficiaries can get paid as soon as possible.

With funeral expenses and medical costs so high these days, it’s imperative that the claim process is dealt with swiftly so that you don’t have to worry about mounting bills. Most insurance companies try to delay payment for as long as possible, so it’s essential to have our legal team behind you to fight on behalf of you and your loved ones.

The Russo & Rieke Difference

We have a wealth of experience handling probate cases, so when the time comes to make sure that your loved one’s assets and estate are managed properly, give us a call. We can also advise you on will preparation and any other steps you should take beforehand so that you’re prepared. It’s always better to have a plan in place so that when the worst happens, you’re not left in a worse position.

Our legal team will work with you every step of the way to make sure that your needs are met. Now is the time for care and attention to detail, and we will provide you with exceptional service and respect.