Probate Attorney in Shoreline, Washington
In Shoreline, Washington "probate" refers to the process a court uses to decide whether or not a will is valid, thereby deciding if it should be given effect.
During probate, the court in Shoreline, Washington will determine the validity of the will, identify and inventory the decedent's assets, account for the decedent's debts and back taxes, and distribute the decedent's property, among other things.
Wills usually name the person who is to serve as executor of the estate. If no executor is named, the Shoreline, Washington court will appoint an executor. This is usually the person who stands to gain the most if the will is found to be valid.
The main duty of the executor is to serve as the living incarnation of the estate. Their job is to initiate probate proceedings, and see them to completion. If an executor has to be appointed by the court, it will usually be the person who stands to inherit the most from the will, as he or she has an incentive to make every effort to avoid delay.
Duties of the Executor in Shoreline, Washington
The executor has many duties concerning the will. First of all, they have to actually initiate the probate proceedings with the court, and this procedure has to be completed before the will takes effect.
Also, it's the executor's job to notify all interested parties that the person who made the will has died. "Interested parties" are generally people who are named in the will, or who would inherit the estate if the decedent had died without a will.
Because people who stand to inherit from the testator may be scattered around the country, or even the world, contacting them is sometimes difficult. One of the responsibilities of the executor is to compile a list of everyone who is entitled to inherit from the decedent, so attempts to contact them can be made. They also have to account for all the testator's debts and assets.
Because the executor serves as the living embodiment of the decedent's estate, they are solely responsible for proving the validity of the will. This is a lot of work, but because executors are usually chosen based on how much they stand to inherit from a will once its validity is confirmed, they have a good incentive to see the process to completion.
Find a Shoreline Lawyer that Specializes in Your Area of Need:
How Can A Shoreline, Washington Lawyer Help?
Because of the complexities involved in probate, it would be a good idea to consult with and retain a Shoreline, Washington attorney who specializes in probate, especially if you are the executor of an estate.
There are 26 Wills, Trusts and Estates cases posted in Shoreline
Cases Posted to LegalMatch listed by ZIP Code:Probate Attorneys in the Largest WA Cities
Life in Shoreline
Shoreline is located in King County, Washington. Specifically it is north of Downtown Seattle. Per the 2010 census, Shoreline is home to 53,007 people.Popular sites include Hamlin Park, Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, Shoreline Historical Museum, Shoreline Stadium, Shoreview Park, and Granite Curling Club. Other popular landmarks include the William E. Boeing House and the Ronald Grade School, which is now the Shoreline Historical Museum.
Top employers include the school district and health care system. Although the legal industry is not included in this list, many law offices employ excellent attorneys and legal support staff to help Shoreline's economy and tend to the legal needs of residents.
Overall, Shoreline is a wonderful place to visit. It is also a wonderful place to call home because it offers a community-like feel and small-town humbleness!
