Palo Alto Probate Attorneys

Helping Clients Navigate Estate Administration

Probate is an often-necessary legal process that families must undergo while their grief is fresh. This alone makes the legal and financial requirements of probate difficult to navigate, but the overall process can seem confusing and convoluted to anyone who is unfamiliar with probate. You can worry a lot less about administering a loved one’s estate, however, with a dedicated lawyer on your side.  

Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP has more than 35 years of experience when it comes to delivering clarity to difficult legal matters and crafting innovative solutions. Probate is rarely easy for anyone to handle on their own, especially when they’re grieving. Our job is to help our clients through probate with as much ease as possible, ensuring that they have the information and services they need at all times. 

If you want to learn more about what our probate lawyers in Palo Alto can do for you, don’t hesitate to reach out for an initial consultation. 

Call (650) 683-9200 now to request an initial consultation with Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP. 

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered and distributed. This process ensures that the decedent's debts are paid and the remaining assets are distributed to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. 

In California, probate typically involves validating the will (if one exists), inventorying the decedent’s assets, appraising the assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property as directed by the will or state law.

What a Probate Lawyer Can Do for You

The legal team at Gilfix & La Poll Associates LLP can guide you through the complexities of this process. Our probate attorneys in Palo Alto offer valuable support and guidance, which can ensure that your loved one’s estate is administered correctly and efficiently. 

Some of the key probate services we provide include: 

• Assessing the estate: We evaluate the complexity and size of the estate to determine a plan on which steps to take during this process.
• Filing the petition: We file the initial petition to open probate with the appropriate court.
• Notifying interested parties: We ensure that all heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors are properly notified, which includes publishing notices in local newspapers.
• Inventory and appraisal: Our lawyers help inventory the decedent’s assets and obtain necessary appraisals to determine the estate’s value.
• Managing debts and taxes: We assist in identifying and paying off the decedent's debts and filing any required tax returns.
• Distributing assets: We guide the executor or administrator in distributing the remaining assets to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries according to the will or state law.
• Legal representation: We represent the estate in court, handling any disputes or challenges that may arise during the probate process. 

With our legal support on your side, you can feel more confident about the road ahead. We know that thinking about estate administration and probate is difficult right now, but we can provide the services you need to make it all easier.