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Losing a close family member or any other loved one is never easy, even if the person was ill for a long time, and the death was not unexpected. Unfortunately, it is all too common for disputes to arise regarding how the deceased person’s property and assets will be handled in the wake of his or her death. These types of disagreements are often complex, emotionally charged, and intensely personal, and they certainly have the ability to create serious rifts within your family.
If you and your loved ones are facing a probate dispute, the skilled attorneys at SBK Law Group are equipped to provide the assistance you need. The knowledgeable lawyers at our firm have over 18 years of combined experience in the areas of probate law and estate planning. Our team has helped many clients in and around DuPage County, Ilinois, and we are prepared to go to work on behalf of you and your family. We regularly represent trustees, executors (personal representatives), other fiduciaries, heirs, beneficiaries, and all other interested parties in a full range of disputed probate cases.
When an Illinois resident dies, the decedent’s estate may be required to go through the process of probate before the person’s intended heirs can claim any portion of the estate. Probate is not required in every case, but probate may be necessary depending on the size of the decedent’s estate, the type and value of the estate’s assets, and other factors. During probate, the decedent’s estate is validated by the probate court. The probate court will also review and validate the deceased person’s will.
Any outstanding debts or obligations will be settled as well. Only after these steps are completed can the remaining property of the estate be transferred to named heirs in accordance with the decedent’s estate plan and Illinois law. The process of probate can be time-consuming and expensive. It can also be very complicated and stressful, as a variety of potential problems may arise. At SBK Law Group, our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to help you manage:
Probate disputes can be filed by an outside entity such as a creditor or former business associate, but most such cases are initiated by named heirs or would-be heirs who believe they are being denied their rightful inheritance. Our attorneys recognize that simply disagreeing with the decedent’s choices is not a valid basis for a probate dispute. The person who initiates the dispute must have valid grounds for filing the challenge. In other words, he or she must have credible reasons to believe that negligence, fraud, or misconduct has occurred.
In the period following a loved one’s death, you certainly do not want to further upset your family who is already experiencing the grief of loss. Sometimes, however, you might have no other choice but to dispute the validity of your loved one’s will or to bring up potentially serious concerns regarding his or her estate. At SBK Law Group, we are sensitive to the personal and emotional nature of many probate disputes, but our attorneys understand the importance of protecting your loved one’s estate, as well as his or her legacy.
When you choose our firm to help with your case, we pledge to work closely with you in exploring your available options for taking action. We will also help you balance the possible consequences that could come with filing a probate dispute. If filing a challenge is the right way to go, we will help you do so and stay by your side throughout every stage of the proceedings so that your rights are protected.
For more information about our firm and our approach to probate disputes, contact our Illinois probate dispute lawyers. Call 630-427-4407 for a free consultation and case review with a member of our team today. We represent individuals and families in Downers Grove, Wheaton, Naperville, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Will County, Cook County, and the surrounding areas.