Are you going through the probate process in Northern New Jersey?
I know… it’s kind of a pain.
So for your own peace of mind, here’s everything you need to know…
Documentation Needs To Be In Order — The first thing you’ll need to have is the will. You’ll also need to provide documentation that proves the will is valid (notarization, for example). If there’s no valid will, the courts will assign an executor to help with the process.
Notify All Creditors and Heirs — Be sure to let everyone know that you’re opening a probate case, especially creditors and possible heirs. You might even want to send paper notices via mail. As for debt and taxes, you’ll need to use the estate to pay them both off.
Take Stock Of The Entire Estate — To get an idea of how much the entire estate is worth (and how much you’ll have after paying off debt and taxes), make sure to consider everything that the deceased person owned. It’s a good idea to hire a probate attorney for this process.
Be Patient — The probate process takes quite a lot of time. Typically, probate will last for 24 months from the date of death. So take a deep breath and prepare for the long-game.
Consider Selling — Believe it or not, you can sell the property during the probate process. If there’s a valid will present and you are the rightful owner, and you’d like to sell, give us a call and we’ll make you a fair cash offer AND help you get out of probate as soon as possible 🙂 (201) 713-5312