Probate Lawyer – When Does It Make Sense?
A probate lawyer can help heirs safely and efficiently through the entire administration of a deceased estate. If you need legal advice in connection with the administration of a deceased estate, our experienced probate lawyers can assist you from start to finish.
The extent of the work involved in administering a deceased estate varies considerably. In some cases, very little work is required, but in most cases, tasks and questions will accumulate, and it can quickly seem completely overwhelming to deal with everything. Where should you even begin and end?
There are deadlines that must be met, and you need to keep track of any outstanding debts, meetings with the Probate Court, contact with the Danish Tax Agency and much more. Numerous practical and legal matters must be dealt with before the heirs can settle the estate. The administration of deceased estates is subject to specific rules under the Danish Administration of Estates Act, which you can read more about at Retsinformation.
If a deceased estate has assets of a certain value, perhaps around half a million Danish kroner, or a certain degree of complexity, or if the deceased had assets abroad, it is often advantageous for the deceased’s heirs to engage a lawyer specialising in probate and inheritance law, who can request that the Probate Court release the estate for private administration and assist with the administration of the estate.
>>Read more about how to achieve efficient estate administration – from A to Z<<
Both Legal Administration and Advice to Heirs
When administering a deceased estate, a lawyer assists with both the practical and legal administration and handling of the estate. The lawyer also advises the heirs on tax and duty-related matters to achieve the best possible result. You can read more about inheritance tax and estate duty here.
The lawyer’s fee is a deductible expense in the estate.
When Should You Contact a Probate Lawyer?
It may be relevant to involve a probate lawyer at an early stage, particularly if there are disagreements between the heirs, debts in the estate or assets abroad. An experienced probate lawyer can ensure proper administration and compliance with all deadlines.
Free Meeting with a Probate Lawyer
Advokathuset Bredgade offers heirs a free meeting before they attend a meeting at the Probate Court to discuss how the deceased estate should be administered. At this meeting with the probate lawyer, the heirs receive assistance in deciding how the estate can be administered to achieve the best possible result. The lawyer also explains what will happen during the administration of the estate and how the heirs can best handle the estate. The meeting is without obligation, and you are free to discuss your questions with a professionally qualified lawyer who has extensive experience in estate administration and the emotional, practical and financial aspects of the process. Whether you subsequently wish to engage our assistance for all or part of the estate administration is entirely up to you.
Advokathuset Bredgade in Copenhagen has probate lawyers with extensive experience in advising on estate administration and inheritance. We assist and advise heirs on all practical and legal aspects of administering deceased estates – at competitive rates.
Please contact us to arrange a free meeting about estate administration. Our lawyers can provide advice to help you and your family through the administration of the estate. Contact Advokathuset Bredgade for a free meeting.
Contact lawyer Martine Lykke Tox, tel. +45 31 18 66 20, or lawyer Claus Christian Hansen, tel. +45 31 18 66 22, both experienced probate lawyers.
Our lawyers have many years of experience in estate administration and meet heirs involved in complex probate cases on a daily basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You should contact a probate lawyer when the estate is complex, there are disputes between heirs, or there is uncertainty about the applicable rules, form of administration or tax matters.
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A lawyer is not required in every case, but in practice it is often advantageous to ensure that the estate is administered correctly and lawfully, particularly in larger or more complicated estates.
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Yes, it is possible to administer a deceased estate without a lawyer if the estate is straightforward, solvent and all heirs fully agree on the form and handling of the administration.
However, legal errors can have financial consequences.
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A probate lawyer advises on the form of estate administration, prepares/reviews legal documents, assesses assets and liabilities and ensures proper compliance with tax and estate duty rules.
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The cost depends on the size and complexity of the estate, the lawyer’s hourly rate and the scope of the specific assignment. A specific fee should always be agreed in advance.
