Probate Lawyers in Bucks County

Probate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is the legal process for validating a deceased person’s Last Will and Testament at the office of the Register of Wills. When there is no Will, the Pennsylvania laws of intestate succession will determine who is legally entitled to receive the estate assets of the deceased individual. The Martin Law Firm, P.C.’s probate lawyers in Bucks County are trusted professionals who focus on estates and probate law. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of probate and estate administration. With a deep understanding of Pennsylvania law, including the Probate, Estates, and Fiduciaries Code, we make sure that you and your family’s interests are protected. 

Whether you need assistance with probate court filings, distributing assets, or resolving disputes, our experienced attorneys provide compassionate, professional support every step of the way, including the following:

• Filing the Will and Appointment of Executor or Administrator – If the decedent died with a Will, the original Will is offered to the Register of Wills for validation. This process includes the filing of a Petition for Grant of Letters requesting that the Register of Wills appoint the named executor in the Will to handle the estate. If the decedent died without a Will, the Register of Wills will appoint an Administrator. The Register of Wills will issue Letters Testamentary to the named Executor and Letters of Administration to the Administrator.  Executors and Administrators are also referred to as the Personal Representatives of the estate.
  
  
• Identifying and Notifying Heirs – Our probate lawyers will assist the Personal Representative with notifying the beneficiaries of the existence of the estate and their interest in the assets of the estate. After the Notice of Beneficial Interest is served on each of the beneficiaries, we will file a Certification with the Register of Wills.

• Publishing Notice of the Estate – We will also assist the Personal Representative with publishing notice of the existence of the estate to put creditors on notice that they must act to preserve any claims they may have in the assets of the estate.

• Inventory and Appraisal – The Martin Law Firm, P.C., probate lawyers will help the Personal Representative identify, value, and inventory the estate assets. This includes real estate, personal property, bank accounts, and other assets. We will also help you determine which assets must pass through the estate and which assets can pass directly to the beneficiaries.

• Paying Debts and Taxes – The Personal Representative is responsible for ensuring that any outstanding debts, taxes, and claims against the estate are paid. Our lawyers will help resolve creditor claims and we will prepare and file the inheritance tax return. We will work with other professionals such as financial advisors, accountants, or CPAs in preparing fiduciary returns, final income tax returns for the decedent, and other tax documents. 

• Distribution of Assets – Our Bucks County probate lawyers play a crucial role in helping the Personal Representative distribute the assets of the estate. We will ensure that the process is carried out according to the decedent’s wishes and in compliance with Pennsylvania law.  We will make certain that the distribution process is transparent and legally sound to avoid potential conflicts among heirs or complications with creditors.  We will also prepare the necessary legal documents to see to it that everything is handled appropriately, ultimately providing peace of mind to the client.
  
  
• Closing the Estate.  Our lawyers are invaluable in assisting the Personal Representative with closing an estate by ensuring that the process is completed correctly.  We will make sure that a final Accounting is prepared, assets are distributed, taxes are filed, disputes are resolved, and all formalities are done in compliance with Pennsylvania law.