WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR CONSULTATION

Welcome! Here’s what you can expect during your first call or meeting with us. Our goal is to help you understand the probate process and answer all your questions.

How long is the initial consultation?

The initial consultation is typically scheduled for thirty minutes, although it can last as long as an hour if you have complicating factors, or if you have several probate matters that may need to be handled in separate cases, or in separate states. Our client coordinator will let you know when they schedule your appointment how long you should expect the consultation to last.

How are initial consultations held?

Your initial consultation will typically be over the phone, to save you time and expenses; however, we are happy to meet with you by Zoom, or in person, if that is your preference. Our office strives to make this process as simple as possible for our clients, and we utilize all available technology to do so. We ask that you email our office any documents you have prior to your consultation to ensure your time and money are spent in the most economical way.

What documents should I email prior to my consultation?

It is helpful to our attorneys to have all information available to them during the initial consultation so they ensure they are giving you the correct legal advice. A simple thing like forgetting which heir died before the other heir, or that a child was, or was not, legally adopted may change the course of your matter, and end up costing you additional time and money. With that in mind, you should have the following documents and information available to you, AND, should email the information to our client coordinator (client@ksmoprobate.com) prior to your consultation:

1. Death Certificate.

2. Copy of the Last Will and Testament.

3. A list of heirs (those are the people legally related to the individual). This list should include the following people:

   1. Spouse

   2. Children

   3. Grandchildren (even if their parent has already passed away)

   4. Brother and sisters IF there is nobody to list in the first three categories above

4. A list of the things the individual owned at the time of their death. Examples of these types of things include:

   1. Home

   2. Vehicles

   3. Bank accounts

   4. Savings accounts

   5. Retirement accounts

   6. Investment accounts

What happens after my initial consultation?

During your initial consultation, the attorney will walk you through the probate process that applies to your situation; there are several types of probate processes in Kansas and Missouri depending on the length of time your loved one has been gone. They will discuss how long you should expect the process to take, the expense of probating your loved one's estate, and the general process for your specific type of probate. Should you choose to hire The Probate Law Center to assist you, our client coordinator will provide an attorney/client contract and request for payment. Once those two matters have been handled, you will become a client of The Probate Law Center, and your matter will transfer to our probate specialists who will walk you through the process, ensuring you have a full understanding of the process at each step.

We’re here to help you through every step of the probate process. By coming prepared, we can make the most of our time together and get started on settling the estate.