After a loved one passes, it may feel like you have so much to do regarding the estate that you do not even have time to grieve the loss. When you turn to an estate attorney for help, though, you do not have to worry about filing various documents or tackling financial logistics while you’re vulnerable. Instead, a lawyer can do it for you. Below, Stephen B. Kaufman, P.C., in the Bronx, NY, explains how an attorney can help you manage the estate of a deceased loved one.

3 Reasons to Call an Estate Attorney When You Lose a Loved One

1. So You Can Begin the Probate Process

If your loved one created a will, the estate will need to go through the probate process before any dependents can gain ownership of their property. An estate attorney can help you begin the probate process and guide you through every step of the proceedings, including inventorying the assets, paying back creditors, and distributing property.

2. So You Can Resolve Disputes

It is not uncommon for disputes to arise among family members following the death of a loved one. Fortunately, a seasoned estate attorney knows how to prevent the most common disputes and resolve the more complicated ones that arise.

3. So You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes

Before beneficiaries can receive any of the deceased’s property, certain creditors and tax debts must be paid from the estate. An attorney will help you determine which claims against the estate are legitimate and which do not need to be settled. This will ensure the money that the beneficiaries finally do receive actually belongs to them, and it will prevent you from having to engage in more costly proceedings to reverse any mistakes.

If you need an estate attorney in the Bronx, NY, turn to Stephen B. Kaufman, P.C. You can learn more about the firm’s estate law services by visiting his website. To schedule an initial consultation with a compassionate lawyer after losing a loved one, call (718) 822-0500.