Printer Friendly View
Add To Favorites
Knowledgeable Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Probate and Estate Attorney
Probate and estate administration are the legal processes for the management and distribution of an estate after a person has died. Whether a will, trust or other estate plan was in place will affect how the estate is managed or distributed at the time of death. Attorney Arthur H. Baker III has over 29 years of experience in representing beneficiaries, heirs, executors and other parties in probate and estate administration.
Probate and estate administration can be complex and involve the rights and interests of competing heirs, beneficiaries and creditors. To ensure that your rights and the estate of a loved one is secured, contact us today for a free consultation.
If your spouse, parent or other loved one has passed away and you are concerned about the management of an estate, or you are the personal representative or executive of an estate, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and ensure that the estate is properly administered and that your interests are protected in probate court.
What is Probate?
When a person owns property and dies, the property will go into an estate. Probate is the process used by the courts to transfer the assets out of the estate. The court provides necessary supervision to determine how the assets will be distributed. In essence, probate empowers certain authorized individuals to change the title of property in an estate.
The probate process involves gathering all of the property of the estate and accurately reporting, managing and distributing assets. This includes paying bills, debts and tax obligations including estate, gift taxes and inheritance taxes. The entire process takes about a year, but could take longer if there are many claims raised against the estate.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Usually an executor is named to administer an estate, but if he or she is unavailable or no executor was named, a beneficiary will usually take on this role. An executor, administrator or beneficiary is responsible for all aspects of probate and estate administration.
The Law Office of Arthur H. Baker III can assist you in directing the administration of the will. We will help you understand the necessary steps to ensure the correct and orderly management and distribution of the estate, including:
- Drafting and filing required pleadings with probate court
- Preparing income, inheritance, and estate tax returns
- Preparing documents for distributing property, e.g. deeds and transfers of business interests
To obtain more information or to speak directly to an estate administration or probate attorney Arthur H. Baker III, contact our office today.
What if There Was No Will?
If there is no will, an individual is said to have died "intestate." This means that heirs will be identified and the property will pass according to Pennsylvania intestacy laws. Instead of an executor, there is an administrator of the estate who petitions the court for the role.
With nearly 30 years of experience in probate and estate administration, Attorney Baker will provide you solid legal guidance with a compassionate approach. You can be assured that he will represent your interests and your rights at every step, whether it be in a will contest, probate proceeding or administration of an estate.
Contact The Law Office of Arthur H. Baker III for a free consultation with a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia, estate planning and probate lawyer.
Free initial consultations • Home and hospital visits • Weekend and evening appointments available • Pittsburgh office located conveniently one block from the City-County Building
The Law Office of Arthur H. Baker III
Pittsburgh Office
225 Ross St, 2nd floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Telephone: (412) 288-8800
Fax: (412) 391-1271
Morgantown Office
2567 University Avenue
Suite 7022
Morgantown, WV 26505
Telephone: (304) 906-8280
Fax: (412) 391-1271