You shouldn’t have to go through the hassle of settling a family member’s estate alone while you’re grieving. Unfortunately, you could face a mountain of paperwork and complex legal procedures if you don’t get legal assistance to settle an estate. Thankfully, a Wisconsin estate planning lawyer can manage this task for you.
Steps to Close an Estate in Wisconsin
Settling an estate in Wisconsin is a lengthy and complicated process. The steps to close an estate include:
- Filing the deceased’s will with the local probate court
- Appointing a personal representative to manage the estate or filing the paperwork to be named the personal representative yourself
- Notifying all the deceased’s heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors of the probate proceedings
- Creating an inventory of the estate’s assets
- Appraising the estate’s assets to determine their value
- Paying any debts, taxes, and expenses the estate owes
- Distributing the remaining assets to the deceased’s beneficiaries according to their will
- Submitting a final accounting of the estate to the probate court for approval
- Obtaining the court’s permission to close the estate
- Distributing any remaining funds and closing all the estate’s accounts
If you want to settle an estate yourself, you’ll have to handle all these tasks and complete them on tight deadlines. You’re better off letting a lawyer take care of the estate while you tend to other matters.
Why You Need a Lawyer to Settle an Estate in Wisconsin
It’s best to let a lawyer settle a deceased family member’s estate while you work through your grief with your family. Closing an estate involves multiple complex steps, and any mistakes along the way could delay the process and cost you and other beneficiaries a lot of time and money. A knowledgeable and dedicated attorney understands the rules in these cases and can handle the necessary steps in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
Furthermore, hiring a lawyer to settle an estate can save you time and money in the long run, as you’ll lower your risk of potentially expensive mistakes or delays. Having an attorney settle an estate also means you don’t have to worry about meeting critical deadlines. Finally, many people struggle to complete intricate legal tasks when grieving. Hiring a lawyer to settle an estate means they take on that burden, freeing you to focus on healing and other matters.
Why Choose Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., to Settle a Wisconsin Estate
The Wisconsin probate lawyers at Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., have in-depth experience with closing estates and understand your need for swift, thorough legal action. Furthermore, you get a dedicated paralegal and attorney assigned to your case when you hire us, and they will handle all your questions and concerns until your case concludes. This individual attention helps us better serve our clients and means you always know who to contact about your case.
If you need legal assistance with closing an estate in Wisconsin, the team at Peterson, Berk & Cross is here for you. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.