Anderson Dorn & Rader Ltd.

About Anderson Dorn & Rader Ltd.

Estate Planning attorneys in Reno, NV

When a loved one passes away, the survivors typically go through a period of heightened emotions, including denial, anger, depression, and grief. If you recently lost someone close to you, the last thing you probably want to think about are the legal ramifications of your loved one’s death. If you were appointed as the Executor of the estate or the Trustee of a trust, however, it means your loved one is counting on you to oversee the probate of the estate and/or the administration of the trust. Given the complexity of both a probate will and the living trust administration, coupled with the grief you are undoubtedly experiencing, it is in your best interest to work closely with a probate lawyer from Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. to ensure that costly mistakes are avoided.

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process that is usually required after a death to distribute the estate of a decedent. If you were named as the Executor of the estate, or you volunteer to oversee the administration of the estate because the decedent died without a probate will, you must navigate the probate process from start to finish. Although no two estates are exactly the same, there are several common steps you are likely to encounter during the probate process, including:

• Identifying, locating, securing, and valuing the assets of the decedent.
• Initiating the probate process by submitting the decedent’s Last Will and Testament (if applicable) along with a petition to open probate to the appropriate court.
• Identifying and locating the legal heirs if the decedent died intestate (without a Will).
• Notifying creditors of the estate that probate is underway and allowing time for those creditors to file claims against the estate.
• Reviewing claims filed by creditors and approving or denying each claim.
• Paying approved claims with available estate assets.
• Arranging for the liquidation of estate assets if necessary to pay debts of the estate.
• Defending the estate in the event of disputes.
• Calculating and paying any gift and estate taxes due.
• Effectuating the legal transfer of remaining assets to the intended beneficiaries and/or heirs of the estate.