Probate and Estate Administration

Winston-Salem Probate and Estate Administration Lawyers

Will Contests · Trust Disputes · Estate Litigation

Probate law can be very straightforward. Most estates are administered without any complications, especially in cases where the deceased has left a will or trust that carefully considered their desires in relation to all their legal heirs. Estate litigation can become extremely complicated and contentious in other cases where a sibling contests a will, a son or daughter disputes the trust instrument, or some other estate administration issue arises. In all cases, for over 30 years, residents of Winston-Salem and the surrounding areas have been depending on our firm, Wood, Rabil & Peake, LLP, to represent their interests in probate court.

Experience · Skill · Dedication to the People of North Carolina

• Testate Estates: When a person dies leaving a will, then he or she is said to have died testate. Unless significant changes in the person's family have occurred since the will was drafted, such as a second marriage or the birth of children not referred to in the will, these cases generally proceed without obstacle through the ordinary probate process.
• Intestate Estates: When a person dies without a will, then he or she is said to have died intestate. The administration of these estates can be a little more costly and generally more time-consuming. However, barring any significant conflicts over any assets of the estate, the probate process can also be straightforward.
• Estate Litigation: Will or trust contests or intestate estate administration litigation usually arises when there has been on-going, often long-term disputes among the heirs to the estate, regardless of whether the relative died testate or intestate.

In all probate matters involving the administration of an estate, our firm has the experience and skills you will need to guide you throughout the process. Please contact  our office for a consultation regarding your estate administration issues.

Estate Planning

Our attorneys  can help your family avoid estate administration disputes over your estate by helping you establish a plan for the distribution of your estate upon your death.

Please review our Estate Planning practice page for more information.