If you are looking for an inheritance lawyer in Tampa, FL you can also look for estate or probate lawyers as they cover the same areas of the law. They are licensed professionals who help estate heirs and representatives deal with an estate when someone dies. The details of the estate will dictate what specific capacity the lawyer is involved.
Some also work on areas of probate, so helping follow the will as it is written and if there is no will, helping heirs go through the right proceedings to deal with it. Some estate attorneys focus on litigation. This is when there are disputes over a will or when people want to go through litigation for some reason over what the will says. Not all probate lawyers have experience with going through litigation. If that is what you need a lawyer for you need to make sure your choice has the experience and skills in that area.
Is there a statute of limitations?
If someone dies without leaving behind a will there is no statute of limitation for the process of determining who the heirs should be and then distributing the estate. When there was a will a person must file that will for probate within the next four years after the death.
How long does someone have to contest a will?
How long you have to contest a will depends on where you are. An inheritance lawyer in Tampa, FL will let you know that you have just 90 days in Florida. If you were in Texas it would be up to two years. So check out the state you are in. Also, it is important to know that that time does not start ticking until the judge accepts the will into probate. Not from when the person died or when the will was filed, but when the judge accepted it. It makes sense though to get started on anything like that as soon as you can, making sure you have all the right documents and such.
What kind of cost can you expect to pay?
Whether you are hiring asset retention attorneys in Brandon, FL, or inheritance lawyers, the cost will depend on a few things. The services they offer, what you need them to do, how often you need their guidance, their experience and reputation and so on. Keep in mind that lawyers might bill differently. There are also going to be other fees and costs that add up along the way. That is especially true when you need to take it to court. If you are on a budget check with your lawyer about what your chances are with a contention so you can make the best choice for you.
Summary
Different situations mean you need different types of attorneys or lawyers to help you. Whether you are looking for an inheritance, probate or estate lawyer or asset retention attorneys in Brandon, FL, be sure to look into their services and skills. Make sure they are capable in the area you need them to be.