Trusted Representation in Court by Probate Attorneys in Rochester Hills, MI

Ensure a smooth transfer of assets with assistance from a Rochester Hills probate attorney

After the death of a loved one, the last thing you want to do is spend your time in probate court, settling issues with the person’s will. At Otlewski & Maloney, P.C., our attorneys represent you throughout the probate process to relieve you of legal stresses during this difficult time. We use our more than 30 years of experience in settling matters in probate court to ensure that your loved one’s last wishes are carried out. While we are handling your affairs in court, we remain available at all times to provide you with legal counsel, but we also give you the privacy and space you need to grieve.

A Rochester Hills probate law firm known for empathetic counsel

Probate is the court proceeding used to settle someone’s final affairs, including the payment of the decedent’s outstanding debts and the transfer of his or her assets to the appropriate parties. Even if there is a will, you will need a Rochester Hills probate attorney during this process, as the legal matters involved can be quite complicated. If there is no will, the probate court appoints an administrator, typically the deceased’s spouse or an adult child, to handle the case and distribute all assets according to Michigan state law.

Probate usually begins with filing your loved one’s will in probate court. Anyone may file the will, but usually the estate administrator performs this action. The estate administrator or executor also files a request to admit the will to the probate court. When the court approves this request, the court clerk records the will and the executor publishes notice of this proceeding in the local newspaper.

However, not all cases go this smoothly. Some probate cases include objections to the will, usually claiming that the will is invalid on the grounds of inappropriate influence on the person who made the will, a forgery of the will or a claim that the person who wrote the will was not of sound mind at the time. In some cases, the objections have to do with the choice of executor. In all of these situations, we fight to ensure that the will is carried out exactly as your loved one intended.

Contact a Rochester Hills probate attorney for more information

Call Otlewski & Maloney, P.C. at 248-759-5641 for more information regarding probate or contact us online to schedule your consultation. We offer flexible office hours on evenings and weekends by appointment at our office in historic downtown Rochester Hills. We pledge to answer any calls or emails you send us as soon as possible, to keep you constantly updated about your legal concerns.