subject: Choosing A Chicago Probate Attorney [print this page] Usually, when people are looking for a probate lawyer in Chicago, they're already dealing with the pain and confusion that comes with losing a loved one. This can make the process more difficult than it would be otherwise. A Chicago probate attorney, however, is absolutely necessary, even when the estate is not being contested. If there are issues over the distribution of the estate, however, you'll need to make certain that you have a particular type of probate lawyer in Chicago that you can turn to for help to resolve the issue.
Administration
Sometimes, a Chicago probate attorney will only have to make certain that the deceased individual's wishes are carried out in accordance with their will and other documentation. In these instances, the Chicago probate attorney functions as an administrative probate attorney. This means they just handle the administration of the estate and that there is no conflict that they have to resolve among the family members. This process is mostly one of carrying out what the deceased wanted and of making certain that everything is handled in accordance with the law. When attorneys take up this role, they are referred to as transactional lawyers.
Litigation
In some cases, you may need to hire a probate lawyer in Chicago for probate litigation. This happens when members of the family or other people who stand to inherit from the deceased have conflicts over how the estate is to be distributed. These situations can turn ugly and it's necessary to have a good Chicago probate attorney to represent your interests. If you find yourself in a situation where you're looking for a probate lawyer in Chicago to handle probate litigation, remember that the other side may be way ahead of you already. Get an attorney right away and make certain that you follow their advice to the letter. This ensures that you don't get blindsided by a relative who is already ahead of you and trying to take advantage of a bad situation.
Experience
It's not too difficult to find a probate lawyer in Chicago with a great deal of experience. One of the things you may want to keep in mind, however, is that a Chicago probate attorney is not rated by their experience alone. A big part of what makes them a good attorney or a bad attorney is how they treat their clients and how compassionate they are in dealing with people who have just suffered the loss of a loved one.
A Chicago probate attorney can make certain that everything goes off smoothly and that there are no issues from a legal perspective where the distribution of an estate is concerned. This is the best way to make certain that your loved one's wishes are honored and to make certain that the family inherits in whatever fashion that the deceased wished. Finding a probate lawyer in Chicago is, to a great extent, a matter of finding one who you feel comfortable working with and who you feel will be unerringly thorough in how they handle the case.
