Is it neccesary to have a lawyer or other professional help probate an estate or file the required tax returns?
It is often advisable for the fiduciary to obtain professional assistance in connection with the administration of an estate. The Clerk of the Court or the Judge of Probate may provide limited assistance by helping an individual to complete required forms and reports. The Judge will be careful in the type of assistance given, since he or she may be called upon at a later time to adjudicate matters relating to the tax return, an account, or intermediate petitions. It is the fiduciary, however, who is primarily responsible for completing these forms and reports and for taking all of the other steps necessary to settle the estate. A booklet entitled Guidelines for Administration of Decedents Estates is available from the Court of Probate to assist fiduciaries. Responsibilities such as preparation of tax returns and protecting unusual assets frequently require professional help.
