After a person dies, his or her property will have to go to new owners after a probate court has made sure that the proper procedures have been followed. It can take a long time for an estate to work its way through probate, and if you want to find information about the probate case there are several possible options available to you.
Ask the Executor
Someone has to represent the estate during the probate process. This person is called executor, though sometimes he or she may also be known as a personal representative or estate administrator. This person is usually an attorney and, if you’ve received notification that the estate has been opened, he or she will usually be willing to share information about the estate.
Examine the Court Records
Probate cases are open to the public, meaning you can go down to the county courthouse and research the case history. Depending on where you live, you may have to speak to the probate clerk, the records clerk, or some other courthouse official to find the case record.
Hire Your Own Attorney
Researching probate is not always easy, especially if you don’t have any experience with the process or live far away from where the case is taking place. In such a situation it’s probably best to hire your own probate attorney, one who can quickly and efficiently research the case and find information on your behalf. Probate attorneys may also be able to find information that isn’t available in the public record, as well as advise you about your legal options.
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