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Sam Thomas III Esq. & Associates LLC
Sam Thomas III Esq. & Associates LLC
216-777-4199

Draw On 25 Years Of Knowledge And Experience

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Close Support For The Probate Process

Probate can be an emotional and complicated process. Luckily, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. If you have been tapped to administer someone’s estate, I can help you work through the list of duties and overcome any obstacles that arise.

I have more than 25 years of legal experience and regularly teach seminars on probate and estate planning in the Cleveland area. With my help, you can confidently tackle your estate administration tasks in timely fashion.

What Is Probate?

In Ohio, probate is a court-supervised process that is often needed to settle a decedent’s final affairs. If the person had a will, they probably named an executor to carry out probate and estate administration. If the person died without a will, the court will appoint an individual as administrator of the estate. The duties are the same, although the distribution of assets will be different in the absence of a last will and testament.

In Ohio, the entire probate process can take anywhere from nine to 12 months on an average. In situations where surviving loved ones and creditors become hostile over the remaining properties, the probate process may take even longer. Assets held in a trust bypass probate proceedings and pass directly to the named beneficiaries.

Simplified Probate For Small Estates

A simplified and cost-efficient probate process is available:

  • If the surviving spouse inherits all probate property and the estate’s value is less than $100,000

  • The estate’s value is not more than $35,000.

The simplified probate process for small estates in Ohio typically takes anywhere from two to four months, depending on the size of the estate.

What Does The Executor Do?

The executor or administrator is responsible for any or all of the following:

  • Filing the will in the superior court of the county where the person lived
  • Gathering and evaluating the deceased person’s assets
  • Collecting all decedent’s income, including dividends, interests, rents, claims and debts owed
  • Notifying any heirs or beneficiaries named in the will, as well as notifying creditors of the probate proceedings
  • Settling all outstanding debts and taxes on the estate
  • Liquidating (selling) property if necessary
  • Preparing and filing the decedent’s final income tax return
  • Distributing remaining estate property to beneficiaries

Get The Guidance You Need

When you choose to work with my firm, Sam Thomas III Esq. & Associates, LLC, you will have the opportunity to work with an experienced probate attorney. I am dedicated to providing comprehensive legal guidance and support to individuals and families facing the complicated process of probate. As your legal counsel, I can assess the details of your unique situation and help you understand all of your legal options. My team and I will work to simplify the probate process and guide you through every step from start to finish.

Additionally, we can help clients update their own existing wills, trusts, or other estate plan details to avoid or streamline the probate process for their loved ones.

Probate With The Personal Touch

The executor/administrator job can be a heavy and overwhelming burden when you are grieving the loss of that loved one. I offer compassion, patience and plain English legal counsel to alleviate some of the stress. Contact my law office today to schedule a free phone consultation. I also make house calls. You can call 216-777-4199 or use the online contact form.

The team at Sam Thomas III Esq. & Associates, LLC, is proud to serve the needs of individuals and families of Beachwood and the Cleveland metro area.