I can advise you on the best ways to protect yourself and your estate, and maximize the value of assets that are distributed to your family members. As Executor or Administrator of an estate, it is your duty to choose the most cost effective Attorney.

By selecting an experienced Attorney who understands the legal process and techniques for saving time and money:

• Estate Settlement runs smoothly and efficiently
• Attorney fees and costs are predictable and contained
• Time-consuming disputes among family members or heirs are prevented
• Estate property is distributed promptly and efficiently

My role is to:

• advise the Executor about what's best for the estate and the beneficiaries of the estate
• coordinate the timing of official notices, and deal with creditors, debts, heirs, and beneficiaries
• establish the value of estate assets such as real estate, stocks, savings bonds, and treasury bills.

Rather than pay an attorney fee based on a percentage of the estate, most of my clients find that it is best to pay only for the time we actually need to settle the estate. We report to your Executor, Administrator or Trustee on the status of the estate settlement process, by telephone and in writing. We do the work needed to :

• gather the necessary information
• prepare documents
• obtain assents from family members and heirs, and (if required)
• obtain review and approval by Court officials.

We can settle the Estate, and obtain the Court Decree that closes the Estate file with the best results for you and your family. We charge a reasonable hourly rate for Estate Settlement work. In most cases, family members are able to provide our office with information, and that reduces the amount time needed for legal work. The days following the death of a loved one may seem overwhelming, but we can help you complete the tasks that are necessary to protecting and settling the estate:

	Notify family and friends
	Arrange for Memorial Service
	Publish an Obituary
	Arrange for organ donation if decedent has directed
	Take Care of Pets
	Arrange for Security at Decedent's Residence; make sure Homeowner's Insurance is paid and continues in force (See insurance agent contact info, below).
	Cancel or Rearrange Home Delivery of Services, Newspapers, and Mail
	Arrange for care or disposal of perishables like food and plants
	Locate Estate Assets; check for missing bank accounts at missingmoney.com website; What is unclaimed property? Unclaimed.org Search for missing pension benefits on Pension Benefits Guarantee Board website. Locate Financial and Legal Records, such as:
	> Wills
	> Trusts
	> Safe Deposit Boxes
	> Life Insurance Policies: Locating Insurance Companies, Finding Old Insurance Companies and Lost Insurance Policies
	> Contact Social Security regarding Death Benefit and termination of monthly benefits
	> Obtain Death Benefits from Pensions, Annuities, Fraternal Organizations
	> Savings Bonds and Treasury Bills; Calculate Value of Savings Bonds
	Contact Decedent's Insurance Agent, and Arrange for Continuation of Fire, Theft, and Liability Insurance on Decedent's Residence and other Properties
	Secure Motor Vehicles, and Documents of Title