As a purely legal matter, you always are free to handle any matters, including probate, on your own. However, as a practical matter, I would advise against it. The rules and requirements of probate are very technical. A lay person typically does not fair well without an attorney in the probate process. An experienced probate attorney knows the procedures and rules for handling a probate proceeding so that the process goes smoothly. A person who tries to handle probate without an attorney also risks unnecessary delay associated with failure to comply with the procedures and formality of the probate process.

 
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Larry

Lawrence J. Peck, Esq.
Founder of the Estate Planning New York Group
Manhattan, New York City

P.S. Click here for access to the 26 Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes.