Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of legal proceedings. At Cooper | Coons, we guide families through the probate process with compassion and efficiency, helping you settle estates and establish guardianships when needed.
What is Probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets after someone dies. In Nevada, probate is required when a deceased person owned assets solely in their name without a designated beneficiary. The process can take several months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate.
Probate in Nevada
Nevada offers several probate procedures depending on the size and complexity of the estate. We help you determine which process applies and guide you through every step—from filing the initial petition to final distribution of assets.
Affidavit of Entitlement
For smaller estates (under $25,000 in personal property or $100,000 in real property), Nevada allows a simplified process using an Affidavit of Entitlement. This avoids formal probate and allows heirs to collect assets more quickly.
Regular Administration
For larger or more complex estates, full probate administration is required. We handle all aspects including inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying valid debts, filing tax returns, and distributing assets to beneficiaries according to the will or Nevada law.
What is Guardianship?
Guardianship is a legal arrangement where a court appoints someone to make decisions for a person who cannot make decisions for themselves—either a minor child or an incapacitated adult.
Guardianship of the Person
A guardian of the person makes decisions about daily care, living arrangements, medical treatment, and education. This is common when parents pass away or become unable to care for their children, or when elderly adults can no longer care for themselves.
Guardianship of the Estate
A guardian of the estate manages the financial affairs and assets of the protected person. This includes paying bills, managing investments, and making financial decisions in the person's best interest.
Guardianship in Nevada
Nevada guardianship proceedings require court approval and ongoing oversight. We help families navigate the petition process, court hearings, and annual reporting requirements. We also help families explore less restrictive alternatives when appropriate, such as powers of attorney or supported decision-making arrangements.
Avoiding Probate
The best probate strategy is often to avoid it entirely. Through proper estate planning—including living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership arrangements—we can help your family avoid the time, expense, and public nature of probate. If you haven't yet done estate planning, we can help you put a plan in place to protect your family's future.
Why Choose Cooper | Coons?
Our team handles both estate planning and probate, giving us unique insight into what works and what doesn't. We've seen the problems that arise from poor planning, and we use that experience to help our estate planning clients avoid those pitfalls. For families going through probate, we provide compassionate, efficient guidance during a difficult time.
