What are good questions to ask a probate attorney?

Good news: your probate attorney can save you time, money, and stress if you ask the right questions upfront, especially about how personal property gets valued.

A first meeting with a probate attorney should cover more than legal filings; it should also clarify how the estate's assets will be inventoried, appraised, and reported. Consider asking:

• Is probate required for this estate, and what does the process look like step by step, from filing the petition through final distribution?
• What is your fee structure (hourly, flat fee, or percentage of the estate), and what additional costs should I expect, including appraisal fees for real estate, business interests, or personal property?
• Who prepares the probate inventory and appraisal, what standard is used to establish fair market value as of the date of death, and how are those values documented for the court?
• What happens if an asset is discovered after the initial inventory is filed?
• How do you handle disagreements among heirs or creditors over an appraised value?
• What is a realistic timeline for this estate, and which milestones (inventory, creditor period, tax filings, final accounting) should I watch for?

Since valuation questions come up early in nearly every probate case, it also helps to understand what actually belongs in the inventory before your meeting. Review what is included in probate inventory and how household goods are valued for probate so you can ask informed follow-up questions about specific items, like furniture, jewelry, or collectibles, in the estate you're settling.

A probate attorney who works regularly with USPAP-compliant appraisers will typically have clear answers to these questions and can coordinate directly with the appraisal team handling estate contents.