When someone dies, the family often knows who should inherit but has little idea what happens next.
Someone must locate and protect the assets. A will may need to be probated. Debts and taxes must be addressed. Beneficiaries need information. Property may need to be sold or transferred. Trusts may continue for years after the estate itself is settled.
A New Jersey estate administration attorney can help the executor, administrator, or trustee identify what needs to be done and develop an organized process for completing it. Use our Probate Questionnaire to contact us regarding any administration matter.
The Law Office of Robert Aufseeser represents executors, administrators, trustees, beneficiaries, and families in New Jersey estate and trust matters. We help fiduciaries understand their responsibilities, address legal and tax issues, communicate with beneficiaries, and move the administration toward settlement and distribution.
Serving as an executor means more than collecting assets and writing checks. You are responsible for following the will, protecting estate property, dealing with creditors, addressing tax obligations, keeping beneficiaries informed, and making distributions at the right time.
Mistakes can create delays, disputes, tax problems, or even personal liability.
An experienced estate administration attorney can help you identify what needs to be done, avoid common pitfalls, and move the estate toward an efficient and defensible resolution.
The cost depends on the work required.
Relevant factors include the size and type of assets, number of beneficiaries, tax issues, trusts, real estate, business interests, creditor claims, recordkeeping, beneficiary relationships, and whether any matters become contested.
A relatively simple estate should not require the same level of legal work as an estate involving complex tax issues or years of trust administration. At the beginning of the representation, we work to identify the expected scope of the administration and the legal services likely to be required. As the administration develops, that scope can be adjusted if new issues arise.
You do not need to know every asset or solve every problem before contacting an attorney.
Start with the information available.
Locate the will or trust if you can. Obtain a death certificate. Gather basic information about the family and significant assets. Identify any immediate concerns, such as real estate, a business, unpaid bills, beneficiary disputes, or tax deadlines.
From there, we can determine which legal process is required and develop a plan to move the administration forward. Read more about how to probate a will in New Jersey to learn about the process.
If you have been named as executor or trustee, need to administer an estate without a will, or are unsure what to do after someone has died, contact our office to discuss the appropriate next steps.