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Why does probate take so long?

On Behalf of | Nov 20, 2020 | Probate Litigation |

If you are eagerly awaiting your share of an inheritance, it can be disheartening when things seem stuck in probate. Before you start to blame people for the delay, it is essential to understand some of the reasons why probate can take so long. Even if you cannot speed up the process this time, you can avoid making the same mistakes in your estate planning.

A poorly written estate plan can slow probate down

When making an estate plan, it is vital to be as precise as possible. Any error, or anything that people could read in two ways, will cause delays. If you forget to include items, someone will need to decide what happens to them, which could take time and lead to disputes.

Challenges to a will can cause significant delays

If some of your decisions are unusual or people could view them as one-sided, take time to explain it to people while they are alive. Otherwise, they may feel someone else pressured you to make those decisions. Keeping your estate plan up to date can also reduce the chance of challenges.

Choose the executor of your estate wisely

When choosing an executor, you need someone who can be available to carry out all the little tasks involved. If it takes them weeks to find a slot in their schedule, or they live far away, everything will take longer.

If you choose someone with experience, they are more likely to get things right the first time. Any mistakes could lead to time delays. By choosing someone neutral to execute your estate, you reduce the risk of accusations that delay the probate process.

Probate is a notoriously slow process. That is why so many people look for ways to avoid it when creating their estate plan. Taking the time to create an accurate and well thought out estate plan will ensure a faster transfer of assets.

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