Top Charleston, WV Probate Lawyers Near You
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500 Virginia Street East, Suite 1100, Charleston, WV 25301-3207
214 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
707 Virginia St. E., Suite 1300, Charleston, WV 25301
949 Third Avenue, Suite 200, Huntington, WV 25701
700 Virginia St E, Suite 400, Charleston, WV 25301
300 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25321
707 Virginia Street East, 17th Floor, Charleston, WV 25326-1588
109 Capitol Street, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25301
300 Summers St., Suite 1230, Charleston, WV 25301
200 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301
500 Lee St E, Suite 1600, Charleston, WV 25301
707 Virginia Street, East, 15th Floor, Charleston, WV 25301
13 Chase Drive, Hurricane, WV 25526
720 Fourth Avenue, PO Box 2488, Huntington, WV 25725
500 Virginia Street East, Suite 600, Charleston, WV 25301
Charleston Probate Information
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Lead Counsel independently verifies Probate attorneys in Charleston and checks their standing with West Virginia bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
Client Commitment
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What Is Probate?
Probate is the process through which assets from a deceased person’s estate are transferred to beneficiaries, such as spouses, children, and other loved ones. In plain terms, reading a person’s will and distributing the items contained in it is part of the probate process. In some states, probate courts also handle matters related to guardianships and conservatorships of children or disabled adults.
What Happens if You Don’t Do Probate?
Without an estate plan in place, the probate process will often still go forward, but it can get messier. Someone who dies without a will in place will often have their assets given to any survivors, even if that would have gone against their wishes. Court battles can unfold among relatives who feel like they deserve more.
How Long Does Probate Take?
In a simple case where there are no disputes, and the deceased had a strong plan in place, the probate process of distributing assets and paying off debts may only take a few months to complete. If someone challenges the will or any other part of the estate distribution, it can take much longer.
How Can You Avoid Probate?
If you want your beneficiaries to avoid the hassle of probate, you have several options. You can make sure to name beneficiaries of bank accounts, retirement accounts, and life insurance policies. You could also move your assets to a living trust, which will allow you to access them while you are still alive but will automatically pass to your beneficiaries upon your death.