• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sinclair Prosser Gasior

Estate Planning Attorneys - Annapolis, Maryland

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Call Now: (410) 573-4818

Attend a Free Workshop Trustee School

  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Annapolis, MD Asset Protection and Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Annapolis, MD Elder Law & Medicaid Services
    • Annapolis, MD Trust Administration & Probate
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Annapolis, MD Incapacity Planning
    • Annapolis, MD LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Annapolis, MD Pet Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Annapolis, MD Special Needs Planning
    • Estate Planning for Young Families
  • Resources
    • DocuBank
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Estate Planning Definitions
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Asset Protection Planning
      • Estate Planning
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid
      • Power of Attorney
      • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
    • Probate Resources
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Trust Administration
      • Estate Planning for Niches
    • Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques
    • Newsletters
  • COMMUNITIES WE SERVE
    • Anne Arundel County
      • Annapolis
      • Crownsville
      • Davidsonville
      • Highland Beach
      • Millersville
    • Baltimore County
    • Calvert County
      • Dunkirk
      • Huntingtown
      • Owings
    • Charles County
      • Charlotte Hall
      • Waldorf
    • Howard County
    • Prince George County
      • Bowie
      • Fort Washington
      • Glenn Dale
    • Queen Anne’s County
      • Grasonville
      • Queenstown
      • Stevensville
    • St. Mary’s County
      • Charlotte Hall
      • Leonardtown
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • BLOG
  • Contact Us
  • Make A Payment
  • Client Portal
Home / General / What Can Slow Down the Probate Process?

What Can Slow Down the Probate Process?

December 10, 2021 by Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney

Probate can be a long process that families have to go through in the stressful period after a death occurs. Unfortunately, probate is often necessary to facilitate the transfer of assets. While you want probate to move as quickly as possible so new heirs can take ownership, some issues and complications can arise that cause delays. 

The probate process could take a year, with some estates probated more quickly while others take much longer. It often takes this long due to extensive legal requirements, such as valuing estate assets and providing time for creditors to make claims. Even in the best-case scenario, the simple logistics of completing probate requirements means a long delay before heirs or beneficiaries can inherit.

However, certain issues and conditions can exist that make probate even longer than usual. Some of these include:

  • Will contests: If there is a dispute over whether a will is valid, it can take a long time for evidence to be presented and the court to assess whether or not a will is actually a true reflection of the wishes of the deceased made in accordance with the law.
  • Uncertainty over which Will is the right one: If there are multiple wills that could potentially be valid, time must be spent determining which Will is the one that should be probated.
  • Problems with finding or valuing assets: If estate assets cannot be located or properly inventoried and valued, this may cause delay.
  • Property owned in different jurisdictions: If a decedent owned property in multiple states, it is possible that probate proceedings will be necessary in different courts where the property was owned.

In order to plan for probate or if you are already involved in an estate consult with an experienced estate planning attorney that can assist with the completion of the legal requirements, and help with all other aspects of probating a will to wind up the affairs of an estate.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney
Alex Pagnotta’s personal experience with the problems that can result from an inadequate estate plan along with his interest in helping others drove his desire to pursue the areas of estate planning and estate administration. He counsels individuals and families to preserve wealth and ensure that their hard earned assets are passing to the correct individuals when they want and how they want.
Latest posts by Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
  • Estate Planning for a New Baby - June 28, 2022
  • Can I Prevent Someone from Contesting My Will? - May 17, 2022
  • Prepare for Probate - March 23, 2022

Filed Under: General

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Estate Planning for a New Baby
25 Years with WNAV
What is Digital Estate Planning?
What Assets Should I Put In My Revocable Living Trust?
two people in court room
Is Formal Probate Required?
Why Does Probate Take So Long?

Primary Sidebar

Download our free estate planning worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Testimonials

5 Stars
Client Review
September 3, 2020
    

We initiated estate planning following a presentation by Sinclair Prosser Attorney Jon Gasior. We were so impressed, we contracted with them to complete our estate planning. Subsequently, we assembled information on our assets and Sinclair Prosser Gasior did the rest. Correspondence was communicated to our financial institutions and the estate was established. We were very pleased with the courteous manner of the Sinclair Prosser Gasior staff. However, it was their professionalism that made us satisfied we chose this firm to handle our estate. We have nothing but praise for Sinclair Prosser Gasior .

default image
– Walter K.

Blog Subscription

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

ANNAPOLIS

900 Bestgate Road
Suite 103, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: (410) 573-4818
Fax: (410) 573-2802

BOWIE

4201 Mitchellville Road
Suite 403, Bowie, MD 20716
Phone: (301) 970-8080
Fax: (410) 573-2802

MILLERSVILLE

1520 Jabez Run Rd
Suite 300, Millersville, Maryland 21108
Phone: (410) 573-4818
Fax: (410) 573-2802

WALDORF

Hamilton Centre II
3261 Old Washington Road, Suite 2020 Waldorf, MD 20602
Phone: 800-366-4615

Map

map for office

Footer

footer logo
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Maryland Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

© 2022 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys| Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map