Philadelphia Probate Attorney Safe and Protected with Powerful Representation

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Philadelphia Probate Lawyer

Probate Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Guiding Families Through Estate Settlement Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania

Probate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania can be complex, and it is important to work with an experienced Philadelphia probate attorney as you go through this process. You should know in advance that the probate process can be time-consuming, and you will need to know which assets go through probate and which can be passed without probate. At van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin, we have years of experience representing clients in the Pennsylvania probate process, and we can begin working with you today.

Find Out What Your Case is Worth

We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Call (215) 610-3440 or contact us online to learn more.

Guided me through the process for a success.
“Very satisfied with the way they handled my case, answer all my question, provided me with needed information.”

- Frank A.
They make my concerns their concerns.
“Thank you for always picking up the phone. I could not have a better firm representing myself, family and my friends. If you want an attorney that gets the job done, Look no more!!! Contact Attorney van der Veen.”

- Leslie L.
Having been represented on different subjects Mike has provided the same outstanding results!
“This law firm has been nothing but the best for my company! Mr. van der Veen has always worked very hard and communicated well with each situation that he has represented me in. I would highly recommend this firm!”

- Sewall M. Jr.
You should not go anywhere else.
“This firm is the absolute best! Very knowledgeable, pleasant, and amazing!! I recommend this Law firm to anyone with an issue. can't speak highly enough for this firm and it's attorneys! It was truly a wonderful experience.”

- Bennie H.
They take full control of your case allowing you to have peace of mind while they win.
“I have been a client of this firm for many years now, and all that I can say is these are the Top Lawyers in the City! My experience over the years have been excellent! Thank you van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin. Job very well done.”

- Quiana
Michael is superb! Great attorney, great team, great job.
“Outcome was better than expected. Forever thankful to Mike’s reliable firm. If you want great results they are your guys. Strongly recommend.”

- Ninel B.
They handled every aspect of my case with integrity and pride.
“Wonderful customer service. The team at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin is the real deal. I would definitely recommend them.”

- Former Client
The team is definitely a dream team straight outta Philadelphia Center City!
“I first want to thank this dream team they definitely was a pleasure to work with and I am glad I chose Van der Veen law firm to get the jobs”

- RB

What is Probate in Philadelphia?

Probate is the legal term that refers to the process of handling a person’s assets and general affairs after their death. Many assets will need to be distributed through probate, although certain types of assets will not go through the probate process. Most probate issues in Philadelphia are governed by Pennsylvania law.

Generally speaking, whether or not a person has a will, their estate will go through the probate process. When a person dies with a valid will, the person named as the representative in the deceased’s will—a person known as an executor or executrix—will handle the probate process. If there is no will and the deceased has died intestate, then the intestacy probate process will be handled by an administrator of the estate.

Understanding Probate in Philadelphia

Small estates in Pennsylvania can be eligible for a simplified probate process, which can be available for estates of $50,000 or less. To go through a simplified probate process, the executor or administrator must petition for simplified probate. Otherwise, the estate will need to go through the regular probate process.

Generally speaking, assets will need to be distributed through probate unless they fall into one of the following categories:

Assets in a trust;
Assets owned in joint tenancy, such as in a shared bank account; and
Assets paid to a beneficiary, such as through a life insurance policy.

During probate, the personal representative—either the executor or the administrator—will inventory assets, will liquidate property as necessary, will pay debts and taxes, and will be required to file court reports. This process tends to be more complicated for certain estates, and it is important to learn more from a Philadelphia probate lawyer about the specific issues and factors in your case.

Probate and Estate Planning in Philadelphia

If you are currently working with an estate planning lawyer and you want to learn more about options for avoiding probate, you should discuss the possibility of creating a trust, naming beneficiaries to certain accounts, and other options for allowing assets to pass outside of the probate process. Avoiding probate is often a concern for many people who are engaging in estate planning in Philadelphia, and our attorneys can help.

Contact an Estate Planning Attorney in Philadelphia for Probate Assistance

Whether you are the named executor of an estate that will need to go through the probate process or you are considering estate planning options to avoid probate, one of the experienced Philadelphia estate planning lawyers at our firm can help. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us for more information.

Contact van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin for more information.

The Person Who Sees The Whole Picture Meet Michael T. van der Veen

From local business owners, to the President of the United States, we fight for everyone's best interest. As founder of the firm, Michael T. van der Veen effortlessly combines accessibility, experience, negotiation, collaboration, and compassion to achieve results. He is the rare trial attorney who excels in both civil litigation and criminal defense. Known for his unwavering commitment to serving as the voice of the victim and advocate for the accused, he has established his reputation by winning multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in State and Federal Courts, as well as winning major criminal trials across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Probate in Philadelphia, PA

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-610-3440 today!

In Pennsylvania, probate generally applies to assets that were owned solely by the deceased and did not have a named beneficiary. This can include real estate held in the decedent’s name alone, individual bank accounts, vehicles, and personal property. Assets that pass outside of probate typically include property held in a trust, jointly owned assets with rights of survivorship, and accounts or policies with designated beneficiaries such as life insurance or retirement accounts.
Yes. Even when a person dies with a valid will, probate is still required in most cases. The probate process is how the court formally recognizes the will, appoints the executor, and oversees the proper payment of debts and distribution of assets according to the will’s terms. Having a will usually makes probate more structured and predictable, but it does not eliminate the process entirely.
The probate process in Philadelphia commonly takes between nine and eighteen months, although timelines vary. Factors that can extend probate include the size and complexity of the estate, disputes among heirs, creditor claims, tax issues, and will contests. Smaller or uncomplicated estates may move more quickly, while contested or asset-heavy estates often take longer to resolve.
In many cases, yes. Probate can sometimes be minimized or partially avoided through proper estate planning. Common strategies include creating a revocable living trust, holding property jointly with survivorship rights, and naming beneficiaries on financial accounts and insurance policies. An experienced estate planning attorney can help determine which options are appropriate based on your assets and goals.

in their own words

Clients share their experiences and results firsthand

"I love that I have Mike on my side, whenever I question what am I supposed to do? I used to call my dad and after my dad passed, even for things that aren’t always law related, I know I could still call Mike, and I love that about him. He’s just amazing, and I know that if I send somebody here that they’re going to be represented a hundred percent." -Jamie
"He gives you the impression there’s a person you can count on, a person that you can rely on in terms of having some representation. He kept me informed, he kept me up to date with everything that was going on throughout the process. What doctor, what appointments, who I have to see…I was always very well informed." -Sam
"this law firm has afforded low income people of Philadelphia a relationship with an attorney that they can come and meet. To have a the intuition to give a damn about the little people, and then give them that same kind of respect and consideration is unmatched." -Melvin
"He represented me in multiple criminal cases, and I had a lengthy criminal record. He never judged me, and treated me like anybody else, he never looked at me different. He's a real good guy, professional, very honest. When I say I never went to another attorney...he's the best." -Tiffany

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Full-Spectrum
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From criminal defense to personal injury and beyond, clients gain seamless, strategic support from a full-service law firm built to handle every legal challenge under one roof.
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From pro bono advocacy to charitable and community involvement, our attorneys are deeply invested in the people and causes they serve, because real justice includes giving back.
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We stand as the voice of the injured and a strong advocate for the accused. We don’t just see a case, we see the people and futures at stake, and we fight accordingly.
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Results

Our attorneys are nationally recognized, featured in major media, and trusted with the complex, high-stakes cases, because when the outcome matters most, experience matters more.

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