Probate

Practice Areas

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, you may have heard about probate, which is the legal process for handling their estate. This can involve validating a will or overseeing the settlement of an estate without one. Whether there’s a will or not, the process can be complex, so it’s important to have a knowledgeable probate lawyer. At McCauley, Webster & Emrick, our attorneys and staff have extensive experience helping executors and administrators. We can guide you through the process efficiently and help you maximize the estate’s value for your loved one’s heirs.

Many executors are new to the probate process and may feel overwhelmed. Without prior experience, they may not know how to handle tasks such as:

Filing the will with the Ohio probate court
Getting court approval as estate administrator and posting bond
Locating beneficiaries
Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously settling the estate
Finding and assembling assets
Paying creditors and claimants
Collecting amounts owed the estate
Closing and opening bank accounts
Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
Paying current and delinquent taxes
Valuing, managing, preserving and liquidating the estate
Hiring experts, when appropriate

Estate representatives can easily make mistakes due to inexperience, stress and hasty decisions. We guide clients through every step of the probate process, with reliable, detailed advice, so you can settle your loved one’s estate as efficiently, quickly and easily as possible.

Even in seemingly uncomplicated estate cases, conflicts can arise among beneficiaries or between beneficiaries and the executor/administrator. Our attorneys prioritize professionalism in negotiations and court proceedings when representing the estate or its fiduciary. Whether addressing a will contest or allegations regarding asset management, we advocate strongly for our clients’ rights.