Wills & Estates

When we probate an estate, we legally administer the estate of a deceased person to resolve all claims and distribute the deceased person’s property under the directions of the will. Our attorneys and experienced paralegals will guide you through this process. This can be a difficult time and we will keep you informed as events unfold. If the decedent left a will, it will state who has been appointed executor or executrix. If there was no will, one of the heirs will petition the court to administer the estate. We will assist you with all of the necessary steps of the process. During the probate process we will:

• Open the estate
• Locate and value the decedent’s assets
• Deal with creditor issues
• Coordinate with all beneficiaries
• Prepare probate documents for the Register of Wills
• File state and federal estate and fiduciary income tax returns
• Distribute the estate.

In a Durable Power of Attorney you appoint an individual to make decisions for you in the event that you are unable to make decisions for yourself. We will prepare a document for you to appoint a trusted relative or friend to handle matters should you become unable to do so.

A Living Will helps you to make your own decisions about the compassionate handling of end of life issues. We will properly document those decisions according to the requirements established by the State of Delaware.

Those decisions include:

• The person you want to make care decisions for you when you are no longer able to make those decisions yourself
• The kind(s) of medical treatment you do or do not want
• How comfortable you want to be
• How you want to be treated
• What you want your loved ones to know.

A Will can protect your assets and prevent a contest over your estate. A properly drafted will can allow you to:

• Provide for your family
• Determine beneficiaries
• Determine guardianship of minor children
• Create a trust for minor children
• State your funeral and burial instructions
• Provide for children from more than one relationship
• Update your will to account for 2nd marriage
• Appoint a trusted executor who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes.

With your input, we will compose a will that represents your wishes.