Probate Law

Northern Virginia Probate Attorney

Dominion counsels clients in Virginia and Maryland in all aspects of the probate process and the administration of decedent’s estates. Probate and estate attorney David Knasel has substantial experience in administering and efficiently concluding estates, as well as in litigating estate disputes. The estate administration process poses a variety of issues for family members, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries. The guidance of an experienced professional can help interested persons efficiently resolve an estate, while preserving assets and limiting potential liability.

What is probate?

Probate is a judicially-supervised system for administering the estates of deceased persons. In Virginia, probate occurs in the Circuit Court and before a Commissioner of Accounts appointed by the court. In Maryland, the Orphans Court is responsible for overseeing the probate process. In general, when there is a will, the process involves the following steps:

• Admitting the will to probate
• Qualification of the personal representative (executor or administrator)
• Filing of an inventory of the estate, followed by periodic accountings
• Resolution of claims against the estate
• Distribution of assets to beneficiaries

While probate can be a time-consuming process, and every estate is different, Dominion aims to help its clients navigate and complete the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. Not all assets are subject to the probate process, and with effective estate planning probate can be avoided or simplified.