Do I Need To Hire A Probate Attorney?
Under Oklahoma law, you are not mandated to hire an attorney to assist you during the probate process. If you are the personal representative, or executor, of someone’s estate, however, we highly recommend it. As the personal representative, you can be held legally liable for any mistakes made during the process, including failing to notify creditors or failing to act in the best interests of everyone involved in the estate. The list of responsibilities for the personal representative is long, and should you make a mistake—intentional or otherwise, the cost to resolve the issue could easily exceed an attorney’s fees.
There’s also the emotional cost of probating a will. You are likely grieving the loss of a loved one, and an experienced attorney can help preserve peaceful relations between you and the other heirs.
