Probate Attorney in Fairfax, Virginia

Find the right Probate Attorney attorney in Fairfax, VA

In Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, Virginia probate court has to appoint one.

Because the executor is responsible for really 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 Fairfax, Virginia

The executor has many duties concerning the will. First, they have to really initiate the probate proceedings, which must be completed before the will is effectuated.

The executor also has to give those with a direct interest in the will notice that the decedent has died, by filing an official death certificate.

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 gather a list of everyone who is entitled to inherit from the decedent, so attempts to contact them can be made. They further have to account for all the testator's debts and assets.

Finally, executors have to actually put forth the effort to show that a will is valid. As the sole legal representative of the estate, this is their job, and is required for them to inherit, giving them an incentive.

How Can A Fairfax, Virginia Lawyer Help?

Because of the intricacies inherent in the probate process, it is a good idea to hire an accomplished Fairfax, Virginia probate lawyer, particularly for the executors of estates.

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

Life in Fairfax

Fairfax, Virginia is the county seat of Fairfax County. However, it is an independent city, so it is not technically part of the county in which it is physically located, but is a separate legal entity, over which the county doesn't exercise jurisdiction. It has a population of about 24,000 people. Fairfax, Virginia is part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and is generally considered a suburb of Washington, D.C. Fairfax is a popular place to live for people who have jobs in D.C., and given the large number of government and private-sector jobs in the Washington, D.C. area, Fairfax is a place that many professionals who are currently having trouble finding work are considering relocating to. Old town Fairfax recently underwent a major redevelopment, adding a new public library, along with tens of thousands of square feet of new retail and restaurant space, and nearly 100 upscale condominium units. There are many lawyers in and around Fairfax, Virginia. A good Fairfax, Virginia lawyer can make it infinitely easier to deal with just about any legal issue a person might face. If you or a loved one needs any legal assistance whatsoever, regardless of the reason, you shouldn't hesitate to contact a Fairfax, Virginia attorney.

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