Cortes Law Firm Highlights Consequence of No Probate: Why Skipping the Process Can Lead to Major Financial Disasters

The Cortes Law Firm, an established law firm based in Oklahoma, has shared new insights on the consequences of skipping the probate process. Focusing on estate planning and probate law, they highlight the crucial role probate plays in managing and distributing a deceased person's assets. It ensures legal heirs are recognized, debts are paid, and assets are transferred correctly.

Without probate, identifying the rightful heirs becomes difficult and can lead to family disputes, complicating asset distribution. Also, without the court-supervised process of probate, creditors may not be properly notified of the deceased's death, resulting in prolonged debt collection efforts. This can unnecessarily tie up the decedent's assets for extended periods.

"The absence of probate can delay asset distribution, especially with real estate," said Steve Cortes, the firm's founder and lead attorney. "Without a legal way to transfer property titles through probate, it can create significant logistical and legal problems for the heirs, potentially disrupting their lives."

Probate makes sure that assets are distributed as the deceased wished, based on their will. It also addresses any outstanding taxes. By going through probate, families can ensure these responsibilities are properly managed and settled. This allows for a smoother transition and distribution of assets to the intended beneficiaries. This is especially important for properties that need clear legal titles for future transactions.

Steve Cortes added, "Cortes Law Firm Edmond Oklahoma emphasizes that probate ensures a structured process where court supervision guarantees all legal formalities are observed. This helps in efficiently handling the deceased’s estate, resolving any creditor claims, and importantly, avoiding any financial disasters that might arise due to informal asset distribution."

Founded over 11 years ago, Cortes Law Firm offers a range of services including estate planning, general counsel, probate real estate, and client-centered estate planning. They focus on making the process accessible and streamlined for their clients. The team’s extensive experience, particularly in guiding clients through Oklahoma's probate procedures, shows their commitment to helping families navigate challenging times with minimal friction.

In addition to probate, the firm also offers services like drafting revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. These services create comprehensive plans for asset distribution and management, ensuring that clients' wishes are fulfilled and their interests are protected.

"Cortes Law Firm Probate services help eliminate the confusion many people face during the process," Steve Cortes explained. "Our goal is to guide them step-by-step, ensuring that they are well-informed and assured that their loved one’s wishes are being honored."

One of the key aspects the firm focuses on is educating clients about the importance of correctly titling assets. Proper titling ensures that estate planning documents are effective and can prevent many issues that complicate the probate process. This is another area where the firm’s expertise is invaluable to its clients.

Beyond estate planning and probate, the firm also helps businesses across Oklahoma with legal needs. This includes offering general counsel services, which Steve Cortes has extensive experience in, having served as Governor Henry's General Counsel. The firm’s central location in Oklahoma City makes it easily accessible to most parts of the city and surrounding areas.

To provide more understanding of probate and estate planning, the Cortes Law Firm has also shared educational resources on avoiding probate. These include establishing a revocable living trust, joint ownership of property, naming beneficiaries directly on financial accounts, and setting up transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. These measures can streamline the transfer of assets and reduce the need for probate in the future.

Clients and potential clients seeking more information can explore the firm's extensive resources on their website. With a comprehensive step-by-step guide to understanding the probate process, they aim to assist clients in making informed decisions.

For more details on the services offered by the firm or to schedule a consultation, visit the Cortes Law Firm Edmond Oklahoma page at corteslawfirm.com/edmond-oklahoma. More information about the probate services can be found at the Cortes Law Firm Probate page on their website. Additional information about the firm and its wide range of offerings is available on their main website.

The Cortes Law Firm’s ongoing efforts highlight the necessity of the probate process in ensuring orderly and lawful asset distribution, preventing unnecessary disputes and financial complications for those left behind.