Losing a loved one can be an extremely difficult time in anyone’s life. If Maryland residents must handle the estate of a deceased family member, they may wonder what steps they need to take in order to ensure that the probate process is addressed in the correct manner. There are numerous actions that may need to be carried out, and as a result, individuals may wish to seek assistance.
One of the first steps to take is assessing the decedent’s assets. If any of those assets were jointly owned, the property will pass to the co-owner of the property. If property was held in only the name of the deceased, there may need to be a determination as to whether the assets had a beneficiary designation. If so, the beneficiary named will likely obtain the property.
Property that was singularly owned and does not have beneficiary designations will likely need to be addressed during probate. Hopefully, a will exists that explains who may inherit what assets, but there are instances in which a will was not created. In cases where there is no will and the estate needs to go through probate, speaking with an attorney may be a wise step.
Because individuals could easily become overwhelmed when dealing with the estate of a loved one, it is reasonable to seek out professional assistance. Experienced probate attorneys are available for interested Maryland residents who hope to find out more on the process. These individuals may also be able to better understand how the assets left behind may be distributed.
Source: wxyz.com, “Tips you need to know to take a loved one’s estate through probate“, Nov. 18, 2016
