What is a probate lawyer? How much does a probate lawyer cost?

How much does a probate lawyer cost? This is a question we are often asked at the offices of Sean Patrick Cox by clients seeking legal counsel on the matter. Generally speaking, Probate is a legal process that involves validating a will in order to settle an estate.

The entire process can be rather arduous, and frustrating, and end up costing you a lot of time and money. Avoiding this hassle is why most clients approach us, and we help by acquainting them with the best Michigan probate lawyer in town.

Now, naturally, people seeking legal assistance will have many questions that they’ll need clear answers to. One of those questions happens to be about the cost of hiring a probate lawyer. There isn’t a straightforward answer to this, as what you eventually end up paying your probate lawyer will depend on the state you reside in along with several other factors.

That being said, we’ll still try to shed some light on this topic. But before we do that, allow us to first explain what a probate lawyer actually does.

What is a Probate Lawyer?

Probate lawyers are state-licensed attorneys that specialize in counseling the executor of a will and the beneficiary of an estate. They assist both of these parties in navigating the process of probate and work towards the seamless settlement of an estate. They offer a broad range of services associated with the probate process.

You can count on a probate lawyer to find and inventory assets belonging to an estate; clear any debt that the estate may owe, and distribute assets fairly among the designated beneficiaries. They can also play an instrumental role in establishing the actual estate plan as well.

What are the Duties of a Probate Lawyer?

Being home to some of the best Grand Rapids Probate Lawyers, here at the offices of Sean Patrick Cox, we have a very good idea of the duties such attorneys are obligated to perform. These attorneys can represent both the representative and the heirs of the estate.

Their primary goal is to settle an estate. They can help both the executor and the beneficiary in accomplishing the same by doing the following:

• Determining what the inheritance tax is and clearing it
• Opening a checking account for the estate and managing it
• Clearing all debts and outstanding bills owed by the estate.
• Preparing and filing all necessary court documents.
• Collecting proceeds associated with a life estate policy
• Spearheading property appraisals
• Retitling of assets in the concerned beneficiary’s name.

How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Probate Attorney in Michigan?

As we mentioned before, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this. The fees will vary from lawyer to lawyer, state to state, and largely depends on several other factors. To get an idea of what this amount could be, we suggest paying heed to the following aspects:

• The size of the estate and how complicated it is to handle
• Will someone contest the Will
• The validity of Estate Plans
• Is the probate attorney retained or not?

The variability in cost caused by these factors is what makes the question difficult to answer. Besides this, however, you can also almost definitely expect to pay a fixed amount for the following:

• Court Filing Fees 
• Accounting fees
• Land survey and appraisal fees
• Executor fees

In hindsight, hiring a probate lawyer in Michigan could cost you anywhere around 4-8% of your estate’s total value. To get a clear quote, we suggest you contact our offices and directly consult with our experienced Michigan Probate Lawyer. Initial consultation with us is free. So we suggest not letting any doubts linger and calling us right away if you need the assistance of some of the best Grand Rapids probate lawyers.

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer?

Whether you need the services of a probate lawyer will largely depend on multiple factors. You should seek out a probate lawyer:

• If your state laws are complicated to understand
• To deal with complicated terms of the beneficiary designation
•  If the Decedent left behind a Will or a Trust
• If the size of the Estate is too large

So if a decedent has left behind a Will, there is simply no reprieve from the probate process for you. You’ll need the assistance of a probate lawyer to guide you through this often complex and overwhelming process.

Can You Avoid Probate in Michigan?

It is entirely possible to avoid the probate process in Michigan by doing the following:

• Conceive a Lady Bird Deed
• Create a Revocable Living Trust
• Verify whether your beneficiaries are named and up-to-date
• Leverage Joint Ownership when titling assets and real-estate
• Gift the property when alive

Probate is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Simply hire a reputable attorney who’ll have your back throughout the process. They’ll make sure both the interests of you and your loved ones are protected long after you’ve bid goodbye to this world.

If you have more questions on the matter, we suggest you waste no time and give the offices of Sean Patrick Cox a call. Our attorneys will be happy to entertain your concerns and answer any questions you may have about the process.