Probate Attorney in Danville, Virginia

Find the right Probate Attorney attorney in Danville, VA

In Danville, Virginia "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 Danville, Virginia 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.

Most wills name a specific person as the executor of the estate, but sometimes they don't, or the named executor is dead, out of the court's jurisdiction, or otherwise unfit to serve in this capacity. In these cases, a Danville, Virginia probate court has to appoint one.

Because the executor is responsible for actually initiating probate proceedings and seeing them to completion, the person chosen for this role is often the one who stands to inherit the most from the will - giving them an incentive to put in the necessary time and effort.

Duties of the Executor in Danville, Virginia

The executor has several duties with respect to the will. First, it is his or her job to actually initiate probate proceedings, which often must be completed before the will is given 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.

There may be many people who are entitled to take under a testator's will, with which the testator may have fallout out of touch years ago. This can make them difficult to find, but they need to be found, nonetheless. To that end, the executor is required to make a list of everyone who might be able to inherit, whether they're named in the will, or closely related to the testator. Additionally, they have to make known all of the decedent's major assets and debts.

Furthermore, the executor is required to take the lead in proving the validity of the will, effectively acting as the living embodiment of the decedent's estate. The executor is usually the person who will inherit the most once the will goes through probate, so they have a good reason to put in the work to do this.

How Can A Danville, Virginia Lawyer Help?

Because of the complexities inherent in the probate process, it is a good idea to hire an experienced Danville, Virginia probate lawyer, particularly for the executors of estates.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Danville

Danville is an independent city located in the heart of Southern Virginia and has lots of southern charm. Located on the shores of the Dan river, the city of Danville is host to many outdoor concerts and cultural events that makes the city of Danville a joy to visit all four seasons.

With a population close to 50,000 Danville encompasses 49.3 miles of Virginia. Millionaire's row is one of the more notable aspects of Danville, as the street is lined with well-kept former plantation homes and is a popular area for tourists to drive by during their visit to Danville. A testament to the city of Danville's civil war history, there are many opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy and explore. There is also a minor league baseball team in Danville-- the Danville Braves.

Danville, Virginia is also home to many fantastic lawyers. Lawyers in Danville specialize in a range of legal issues and are available to serve their local clients. Whether it is real estate issues, contract law, or family law Danville lawyers are competent in every legal issue that you may be presented. Danville lawyers are available for you today.

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