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Probate and Trust Administration Services OKC

Probate Lawyers Oklahoma City – Administering and Distributing Estates

A loved one passing away can be a trying time for their close family and friends and the added stress of dealing with the decedent’s estate can make the grieving period even harder. Dealing with probate matters like real estate, trusts, and estate taxes is the last thing on your mind during this difficult time.

With years of experience as probate attorneys in Oklahoma City,  Robertson & Williams attorneys understand how challenging this time can be. Our probate practice provides counsel through the entire process – from estate planning to probate proceedings and trust administration.

What is the Probate Process and Probate Administration?

Probate is the formal legal process that includes accepting the will (if existing) and distributing the assets of a deceased person to his or her beneficiaries (if the deceased had a will) or to his or her heirs under Oklahoma law (if the decedent died without a will). 

As one of Oklahoma City’s premier law firms, Robertson & Williams is devoted to assisting our clients in administering and distributing the estate of the decedent in an expeditious manner. Our probate services include:

  • Probate of wills for Oklahoma residents
  • Ancillary probates for out-of-state residents owning property in Oklahoma
  • Intestate administration (probate process for those without a will)
  • The preparation of documents to transfer the assets of the decedent

Our OKC-based probate and estate attorneys walk our clients through the entire probate process including the paperwork and court attendances so they understand the Oklahoma process and can make informed decisions.

The Probate Process:

It’s easy to assume that if someone left a will their wishes will be respected. However, the will needs to be proven in court and their assets need to be distributed accordingly. A general overview of the probate process in Oklahoma is:

  1. A petition for a hearing date is set to appoint a personal representative and admit the Will if one exists. All interested parties are given notice of hearing..
  2. The will is admitted to probate and a personal representative appointed.
  3. The personal representative gives notice to the creditors of the deceased individual.
  4. Tax returns are filed as necessary.
  5. A petition for final distribution of assets is filed and heirs are notified of the date.
  6. Final hearing to distribute the assets.

This is a very simplified view of the entire probate process, but it can turn into a lengthy and expensive process, depending on factors like the size of the estate involved, number of heirs, debts, and creditors, and real estate or oil and gas holdings – the list is long. 

While the law does not require the personal representative to hire legal counsel, we recommend hiring an experienced Oklahoma probate attorney to ensure that the many legal requirements are met in a timely manner.

Trust Administration:

We also offer efficient trust administration including termination proceedings, distribution of assets, and other matters that may arise. Our attorneys guide trustees through their fiduciary duties and help them administer and distribute the assets to the proper beneficiaries.

You can rest assured that our attorneys with over four decades of experience will help you through every step of the Oklahoma probate process in accordance with the latest procedures and laws. If you’ve never consulted an attorney before and do not know what to expect, check out our free guide on what to expect from a lawyer-client relationship.