Probate

Experienced Probate Law Firm
Serving Clients in Connecticut and New York 

Probate is a court process of evaluating the assets of an estate, paying final bills, and distributing any estate assets to beneficiaries. If you have been named an executor or administrator of an estate in Connecticut or New York, the Law Offices of Richard A. Sarner, LLC can provide knowledgeable guidance as you take on this important legal role.

We have more than 25 years of experience in estate planning and probate. Whether your loved one had an extensive estate plan or died without a will, we can advise and counsel you during this difficult time. Contact us to schedule an appointment about our probate services.

Probate 101

Probate is required whenever a deceased person dies with property held in his or her individual name. The estates of most people are subject to probate, unless they set up certain trusts and other instruments in advance as part of an estate plan. In most cases where probate is required, the deceased person had a legal will, and the terms of that will largely determine how their assets will be distributed.

When someone passes away without a valid will, their estate is handled through a process called intestacy. In that case, state probate law determines who receives any assets.

A third situation that may arise is when it is unclear whether the deceased person had a legally valid will. In these circumstances, a will contest may arise.

At the Law Offices of Richard A. Sarner, LLC, we have extensive experience with all types of probate in both Connecticut and New York. We can assist you in carrying out your legal duties during estate or trust administration, and we can represent you in probate litigation.

Estate Planning Services to Help Your Heirs Avoid Probate

Of course, probate is a long and costly process that many people wish to avoid, and it can largely be eliminated with careful planning. We have extensive experience creating comprehensive estate plans that protect clients' assets. We assist clients with asset protection, wealth transfers, insurance planning, retirement planning, elder law and Medicaid planning, and a variety of trusts.

Attorney Richard A. Sarner is AV Peer Review Rated* through Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.™ He lectures widely on estate planning and is the co-author of two books on the topic. He is a member of WealthCounsel, and the Wealth Strategies Collaborative®.

To schedule an appointment about probate at our offices in Stamford, Connecticut, or New York City, contact us online or call (800) 392-8550.

The Law Offices of Richard A. Sarner ● www.SarnerLaw.com