Probate and Estates

Probate and Estates Services

Practicing for Over 30 Years | A Community-Focused Law Firm!

Practicing for Over 30 Years
Fair Pricing
Locally Owned

Get Help With Your Loved One's Estate

If passing assets through a Will, the process of probate is required. Probate is the state-regulated process requiring a court and a judge to pass assets to the heirs. While it is efficacious, sometimes probate can be a grueling process.

The state mandates that a minimum seven months pass before an estate is closed. You can expect at least twelve to fourteen months from the date of death before the estate’s closing. It also requires filing fees and paperwork that the Trust does not.

A significant hurdle with probate is finding heirs. In order to properly probate a will, the executor must either get all the closest heirs to sign waivers and approve the Will. Without this or if the heirs cannot be found, the process will stall.

Sometimes the closest relatives are cousins, which can be difficult to find. The rules say even if these people are not named in the Will, they must be notified.

Taking Care of Any Estate Situation for You

Estates can get extremely complex and confusing. Let Steven W. Barnstead handle the complicated legal issues of your loved one's estate for you so you can take the time you need to grieve.

Steven W. Barnstead is at your service whether you need assistance with:

Probate proceedings
Administrative proceedings

Advice for a Variety of Legal Situations

With his wealth of legal knowledge, Steven W. Barnstead can help you with more than probate and estate issues.

Contact our office today to get sound professional legal advice on real estate law, wills and trusts, and business formations at a fair rate.

Steven W. Barnstead is admitted to practice in all state courts. He is also a member of both the New York State Bar Association and Chemung County Bar Association.

Call us at 607-734-1216 today for your initial consultation.