The Easy Way to Probate: A Step-by-Step Guide to Settling an Estate

What would you do if someone died and you were named in the will or appointed by the court to be the "personal representative?" What would you do if a lawyer had been named or appointed and you wanted to make sure that the probate is handled correctly? You may have been lead to believe that the system is too complicated and intimidating to enter on your own, particularly if you are feeling the emotional stress of losing a loved one. Administration of an estate is most often a simple and routine legal procedure.

If you can make lists, add and subtract, and know how to ask questions, you can probably handle the task without difficulty. The Easy Way to Probate was written specifically for the personal representative of an estate. However, even if you hire a lawyer or are a bystander who wants to follow or participate in the settlement of an estate, it is to your advantage to know what happens at what stages along the way. The Easy Way to Probate gives an overview of the major issues and procedures involved in probate and will help you determine how you should administer the estate, when you should hire professional help, what additional information you need and where you can get it. By following the steps outlined in the chapters and by consulting the appendices, the process of administering an estate should become a manageable and unthreatening experience.

Kay Ostberg is the author of several consumer self-help books including Using a Lawyer, Everyday Contracts and If You Want to Sue a Lawyer. Ms. Ostberg received her J.D. in 1983 from the National Law Center at George Washington University.