A simple, plain‑language overview
When something legal pops up around family, money, or a recent death, most people have the same first thought:
“I don’t even know what this is called. Who do I call for this?”
You’re not alone. Estate planning, probate, trust administration, and litigation are just labels. What matters is matching what’s happening in your life to the right kind of help.
Let’s break it down in normal language.
If you’re asking, “How do I protect my family and my stuff if something happens to me?”
You’re in estate planning territory.
Estate planning is about planning ahead while you’re healthy and in control.
It’s for you if:
- You want to decide who receives your money, home, and belongings
- You want to avoid leaving a mess or court fight for your kids
- You want to choose who can make medical or financial decisions if you’re unable to
- You have a blended family, second marriage, aging parents, minor children, or a family member with special needs
Estate planning tools include:
- Wills – say who gets what and who’s in charge
- Trusts – keep things out of probate and add control/privacy
- Powers of attorney – name who handles finances if you can’t
- Health care directives – spell out medical wishes and decision‑makers
In brain terms: estate planning reduces future uncertainty and gives you the feeling of control and protection your brain craves.
If someone has died and you’re asking, “What happens now?”
You’re likely in probate or trust administration territory.
Probate
Probate is the court process that:
- Confirms a will (if there is one)
- Appoints someone to be in charge (executor/personal representative)
- Makes sure creditors are handled
- Oversees how what’s left is distributed
You might be in probate land if:
- There’s a will, but assets are still in the person’s name
- There is no will, and the court needs to decide who’s in charge
- The bank or title company says, “We need Letters from the court”
Trust Administration
Trust administration is the out‑of‑court process of handling assets inside a trust after someone dies.
You might be dealing with trust administration if:
- There’s a trust and you’ve been named trustee
- You’re a beneficiary with questions about what you’re supposed to receive
- There’s confusion about what the trust says or how it works
In both probate and trust administration, the goal is the same:
Move from chaos and questions → to a clear checklist and real progress.
Your brain wants to know: “What happens next? What’s my role?”
Good legal help turns that fog into a step‑by‑step path.
If you’re thinking, “Something about this feels wrong or unfair…”
You’re likely in litigation/conflict territory.
Litigation is about disputes and enforcement, not planning.
You might need a litigation‑minded lawyer if:
- A will or trust looks suspiciously changed
- An elder is being isolated, pressured, or financially exploited
- A trustee or executor won’t share information, account, or follow the rules
- You’re being pushed to “just sign this” and it doesn’t feel right
- There’s open conflict among siblings, beneficiaries, or caregivers
Here, your brain is looking for protection and power:
- Protection from being taken advantage of
- Power to stop bad behavior or correct an injustice
A litigation team brings:
- Investigation – what really happened?
- Strategy – what leverage do you have?
- Action – from negotiation to mediation to court, if needed
Not sure where you fit? That’s normal.
You don’t have to diagnose yourself first. Often, your situation touches more than one area (for example, a death + a trust + a conflict).
What your brain needs most right now is relief from uncertainty.
That starts with a conversation.
