Probate will take however long it takes. You cannot rush the process but there are several things you can do to ensure there are no unnecessary delays.
Some of the factors are out of your control. How organized the deceased was when they created their estate plan makes a massive difference. If they left you everything in order, with all the instructions clear, probate should be straightforward. If they died before they could do this, the probate process would take longer.
What can you do when executing an estate to avoid probate issues?
Here are some of the things that you can do to ensure probate is efficient:
- Take time to make a thorough inventory of assets: You may miss something if you rush through this part. When you later discover the forgotten items, it will cause problems and delays. People do not always tell their family about everything they own. It may take a thorough investigation before you can be sure your inventory is complete.
- Get help to value assets: You need to put a price on each of the assets. To avoid a family dispute over what something is worth, get expert help for tricky items such as artworks or classic cars. It reduces the chance that anyone questions a figure they think you plucked out of the air.
- Maintain communication: The more open you are with the beneficiaries, the less likely they think you are doing anything underhand. Money can be a delicate subject, so explaining things to all beneficiaries reduces the chance of problems. Keeping them informed of your progress should also help alieve their frustrations if they understand the reasons for the delays.
Administering an estate for the first time can be challenging. Seeking help will ease the pressure on you and reduce the chances of delays due to errors.