Estate Administration Attorneys in Seattle and Western Washington
At Ridgway and Gafken, our lawyers are familiar with the functions and responsibilities of personal representatives charged with the administration of a decedent's estate. We therefore can advise executors and administrators throughout every stage of the estate administration process.
When a person dies, the probate process governs the transfer of his or her assets to heirs or beneficiaries. Probate provides a system for the assembly and inventory of property, the identification of heirs and beneficiaries, the notification of creditors and the eventual distribution of assets.
During the probate process, any valid debts and taxes are paid, and any disputes between competing interests are resolved. Estates may be probated, whether or not the decedent left a last will and testament.
If you are a personal representative who anticipates conflicts over the terms of a will or the distribution of assets, it can be helpful to work with attorneys who can handle the dispute resolution aspects of the estate as well as the probate and administrative duties.
The Washington probate process is neither especially complex nor expensive, but it helps to work with lawyers who can advise you of your duties. At Ridgway and Gafken, we work closely with executors and administrators in an effort to help the probate process proceed smoothly.
Our extensive probate litigation experience can also protect you and the estate when disagreements arise concerning the terms of the will, the ownership of a particular asset, or a creditor's claim.
To learn more about the scope of our estate administration practice and our approach to client service, contact Ridgway and Gafken in Seattle.
