4 Ways Your Probate Attorney
Can Help You Deal with Stress

As an experienced probate attorney, I have seen my fair share of family disagreements. Probate is the process of addressing financial affairs after the death of a loved one.

The Personal Representative is the person appointed by the Court to manage the affairs of the probate administration. Unfortunately, this position doesn’t come with an instruction manual. The assistance of an experienced probate attorney can make all the difference. Most people don’t realize that serving as a personal representative falls into the category of “no good deed goes unpublished.”

Sources of stress

Most probate attorneys rarely discuss how stressful probate can be. However, this is one of the reasons I always make myself accessible to clients. As a personal representative, you will address the outstanding financial affairs of your loved one. These duties include gathering and liquidating assets; resolving outstanding creditor issues; and, at times, deciding who receives certain personal property (for example, the division of family photographs or jewelry).

Even if you’re dealing well with the grieving process, further emotional turmoil may be on the horizon. Family members will ask you questions about the process. They will likely let you know when they don’t like the way things are being handled (or not being handled fast enough). Feelings of grief and anger can cause you to make decisions that you may not otherwise make.  It’s easy to become resentful toward other family members that you believe may not be hurting as much as you by this loss. Moreover, many emotional questions can arise when the administrator is required to deal with questions relating to a second spouse or estranged children.

Rolaids to the rescue

The thoughtful guidance of your probate attorney can help alleviate a great deal of stress that arises during the process. Follow these 4 steps to make sure the probate process is done right with as few tears as possible.

1. Never make decisions impulsively: Listen to your attorney and consider the impact on other family members of the decision you make.
2. Understand the process: Make sure that your attorney has thoroughly explained to you the stages of the probate administration as well as the timelines involved. You may be inundated with questions from family members about the process and you should feel comfortable being able to provide a basic overview to them.
3. Keep a cool head: Of course, this sounds easy but it isn’t always the case. Making decisions while you’re angry is just as bad as making quick decisions before considering all your options. When things get difficult, take a step back and it should help you see issues more clearly.
4. Consider the feather before the hammer: You may be in charge of the estate administration but that doesn’t mean that the feelings of your other family members aren’t important.  If disagreements arise, don’t immediately resort to the harshest option by reminding them that you’re in charge.  Consider a more delicate approach.  Remember, they’re dealing with the loss in their way and may not be expressing their feelings as well as they might otherwise do so.

   For more information about Nevada probate, download our probate eBook. Written by Probate Attorney Lee Drizin, his 30 years of experience are here for you. He has proudly served the communities of Las Vegas, Summerlin, Spring Valley, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and all of Nevada.

   Drizin Law is providing this probate information for educational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion as to any specific facts or circumstances. This information is based on general principles of Nevada law at the time it was created and you should be aware laws frequently change. Moreover, the laws affecting you may differ depending on the circumstances. You should consult with a qualified attorney in your own state or jurisdiction concerning your particular situation. Review of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.