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Oklahoma Estate Attorneys, PLLC.

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Oklahoma Estate Attorneys, PLLC., Your Trusted Oklahoma Probate Attorneys

At Oklahoma Estate Attorneys, PLLC., we specialize in guiding clients throughout Edmond, OK, and beyond through the many hurdles and challenges they experience when confronted by Oklahoma probate law. We are firmly committed to providing you with the compassionate and knowledgeable assistance you need during this incredibly difficult time on so many fronts.

Learn more about our team, made up of Terrell Monks, Esq., Shanika Chapman, Esq., and Tessa Baker, Esq. If you’re seeking skilled and reliable legal advice or representation, drafting a will or trust, or navigating the probate process, look no further than Oklahoma Estate Attorneys, PLLC. Contact us today and learn how we can help you secure your legacy.


2024 Martindale-Hubbell Award
 Expertise Award 2022
Best Business of 2022
Best Business of 2022
Preeminent award 2019
Best Business of 2018 Award
Best Business of 2019 Award
Best Business Of 2020 Award
Certified Medicaid Planner

Probate Attorneys In Oklahoma City, OK Here To Provide Legal Assistance In A Time Of Grief

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be an overwhelmingly emotional and painful time, which only complicates the already complex process of dealing with estate and probate matters. Terrell Monks and Shanika Chapman are compassionate, experienced, and knowledgeable probate attorneys who have helped hundreds of clients through these difficult times. With locations in Oklahoma City  and Edmond, the probate attorneys at Oklahoma Estate Attorneys, PLLC are ready and eager to hear from you today.

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When Is Probate Necessary?

When someone dies with a will, the will must be proven, and in order for it to be proven, it must be probated in court. Many people operate off of the assumption that the family members and friends of a deceased individual can simply divide the property in accordance with the wishes stated in the will, but this can lead to all kinds of legal problems, disputes, and arguments. In order to ensure that an individual’s property is truly handled in accordance with their wishes, the probate process must occur. Unfortunately, this process can be challenging and time-consuming, with a number of technical aspects that for the most part, only experienced probate attorneys are suited to deal with. The probate attorneys at Oklahoma Estate Attorneys, PLLC in Oklahoma City, and Edmond, OK are here to help.

A Reliable Oklahoma Probate & Medicaid Attorney With 20 Years Experience

H. Terrell Monks began practicing Law in Oklahoma County the day after he was sworn in as an Attorney, and he has continued in practice for well over 20 years. As always, you can count on Terrell for reliable legal representation for estate planning, Medicaid, probate, and guardianships.

Our office works to provide excellent customer service, advice you can depend on, and an honest evaluation of your needs and your likelihood of success, and we treat our clients the way we would want to be treated – with courtesy, professionalism, honesty, and respect.

We expect to answer your calls and emails within a day, and usually much faster. (If we are in trial, this may not be possible)... Meet The Attorney

How Does Probate Work In Oklahoma?

In dealing with a will, the first order of business for the probate court is to deem the will valid. Once that’s been done, the court will appoint the personal representative of the will, who in most cases will have been named in the will by the decedent. Once appointed by the court, the personal representative will take on a number of responsibilities, including the following:

While all of this may seem overwhelming, an experienced probate attorney in Oklahoma City, OK will be able to explain the ins and outs of every step and ensure that everything is completed an accurate and timely manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long probate takes in Oklahoma can vary considerably and depends on the specific circumstances of your case. As a general rule of thumb, however, it’s safe to say it ranges from six months to a year. The complexity of the estate in question and whether there are any disputes raised can length this. Consulting with a probate lawyer as opposed to handling things on your own can dramatically streamline the process.
In Oklahoma, you can have both a revocable and irrevocable trust as part of your estate planning strategy and portfolio. Each of these types of trusts serves a different purpose and offers you distinct benefits, such as flexibility or asset protection. Discussing your situation with a revocable trust lawyer or irrevocable trust lawyer can help you determine the optimal combination of trusts to meet your goals.
Generally speaking, you cannot change an irrevocable trust after the grantor has died. However, there are exceptions to this. Certain conditions may allow for modifications. Consulting with a trust lawyer is the best way for you to understand the specific provisions the law allows for and determine whether any apply to your circumstances.
Having more than one trust is not illegal. You can set up many trusts, each with the purpose of achieving various objectives. Be it asset protection, tax planning, or benefitting different beneficiaries, having multiple trusts can be of immense value to you. Reach out to a trusted lawyer as you consider setting up multiple trusts to ensure doing so makes sense for you and that you do so in accordance with the law.

A probate lawyer helps to validate the last will and testament of a deceased person and executes their last wishes in accordance with the law. After notifying creditors and paying any final debts owed by the deceased, a probate lawyer divides the estate amongst the designated heirs. If no will has been left by the deceased, a probate court follows state intestacy laws to decide how to divide assets.

When a person dies, assets held individually in their name become the property of the probate estate, meaning the heirs must pay taxes to inherit these assets. Bank accounts, valuable personal items, and real estate are usually subject to probate.

An estate lawyer aims to reduce the number of the client’s assets that will be subject to probate upon their death. The goal of estate planning is to maximize the transfer of assets to loved ones and make the probate process more efficient. Estate lawyers employ a wide variety of techniques—from creating a limited liability company or a trust to contributing strategic donations to charity—to reduce the taxable estate for their clients.

Why Do We Hear So Many Horror Stories About Probate?

There are a few reasons for the horror stories in probate. First, many decedents have not done any preparations for their death and their affairs are difficult to manage. The personal representative will often have great difficulty in determining what the decedent owns because there are no records that are easily accessible that describe for the personal representative what is owned and where it is located. Sometimes these cases last for years, as finding and administering the assets is extremely difficult.

Sometimes the horror stories of probate occur because of greed. Heirs, and sometimes personal representatives, misbehave and are even known to steal from the probate estate because they are so desperately greedy. These actions are often criminal in nature and they are further complicated because of the deep emotional wounds that the crime creates... Read More

Estate Planning Lawyers Near You

  • Edmond
  • Piedmont
  • Yukon
  • Norman
  • Oklahoma City
  • Nicoma Park
  • Spencer
  • Lake Aluma
  • Spencer
  • Harrah
  • Jones
  • Bethany
  • Del City
  • Forest Park
  • Four Acres
  • Nichols Hills
  • Moore
  • Arcadia
  • Shawnee
  • New Castle
  • Mustang
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