Law | What To Do When Someone Dies

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Philly Lawyers Can Help With The Legal Side of This Sad Event

It is unfortunate, but during our lifetime we will experience a loss of a loved one. Many of us do not know what to do in these situations, so we have written this article with law tips of what to do when someone dies. When a loved one dies, you need to immediately get the letters of administration. If you have questions or concerns that are not answered in this article, we recommend that you contact a trust and estate attorney immediately. You should go to an office of probate with the death certificate, their form of identification, and request the letters of administration. If you live in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester or Bucks county, our trust and estate attorneys can help you with this process. Kats, Jamison & Associates (Philly Lawyers) has experienced attorneys throughout the greater Philadelphia area that would help you every step of the way.

Getting the letters of administration is the first step. Once the letters of administration are received the executor/executrices of the will must follow it precisely. Before the executor distributes any proceeds to the beneficiaries of the estate he or she must inform everyone of their intent and receive the releases from all beneficiaries. Just remember that no good deed goes unpunished, even if the executor did not benefit from the distribution of the estate, but did not follow the will precisely, they might be responsible for the consequences. Once all of the assets are distributed the inventory must be filed together with the tax return within nine months of the death.

In a recent case that our firm handled, there were a number of siblings and when the parents passed away, there was a specific intent expressed that the house would go to one of the siblings, except it was not clearly written in the will. Most of the siblings agreed, except for one of the individuals, and the executor had to use estate money in order to defend his action. Eventually the executor was successful, but he could have made his job a lot easier, had he explained the actions to all of the beneficiaries before the distribution of the assets was finalized.

The executor should contact a trust and estate attorney to be their guide in what to do when someone dies. This will ensure that no mistakes are made, as litigation is usually costly and unnecessary. Our firm provides legal advice and guidance with the administration of the estate. We could also recommend a competent accountant who could assist you with tax advice.

Please contact us for any questions that you may have. We will provide you with the expert advice and knowledge that you need on such matters.

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We won some of the top verdicts and settlements in Greater Philadelphia. Some including $3.5 million for a car accident, $10 million for a hit and run, and $30 million for a motorcycle accident.

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"I was in an automobile accident in Philadelphia and I came to Kats Jamison and Associates.They were able to get me a quick recovery for the property damages to my car. They worked with my doctors to make sure I received the best medical care. All my medical bills were paid through the automobile insurance policies and my lawyers made sure it was all done properly. They explained to me the process of the settlement and litigation and once the offer was received it was communicated to me immediately. I was extremely happy with the result of my case."

"I was involved in a serious head on collision October 7th 2018. This resulted in an exceptional loss of business and months spent in Rehab. I went through 3 different attorneys trying to reach a settlement agreement. Then I finally met with Marina Kats two years since the accident. They were absolutely outstanding with the wherewithal & power to reach a settlement. Marina Kats & Brian Hanratty are outstanding! Not question that they are the go to firm when you need action steps to get everything resolved, and to be kept totally abreast!"

"I was involved in a motor vehicle accident and wasn't able to do a lot and had to stop working. From the start Marina set up an appointment for me to see a neurologist when no one was willing to see me. When I needed help or had questions she and Barb were always there to answer mine and my moms questions, to help fill out paperwork, and to get me the benefits I needed. Everyone there was extremely helpful and nice. They were patient and attentive to all of my needs and looked out for my best interests until the end. I'm glad to have met them and thankful to them."

“Marina Kats one of the best attorneys i know. She cares about clients, their well being as well as getting the best results in their personal injuries cases. I would recommend Marina Kats and Philly lawyers to anyone who needs assistance in Car accident cases and Personal injuries cases"

"Help with car accidents, bike accidents, and settlements. High recommendation, also great for Russian-speaking client - great lawyer!"

“The lawyers at this firm are caring individuals that can help you with your car accidents, get you great settlements, and treats you with great respect. For personal injury and business matters, I have known them from personal experience from a car accident in Philadelphia, they work fast and I am a very satisfied client.”

“Only at Marina Kats office! Where else can you find so much passion for the job, compassion for clients, and knowledge of the law? My answer is – Marina Kats and the people at her office. This office work ethic and abilities are very high. They have great communication skills. They are willing to listen and to hear you. They really want to help. Always available for clients, no matter when and why. Marina Kats and her people are always ready to help. Also, they get good results for clients. I strongly recommend Marina Kats office. You will not be sorry :) Marina and her people got everything resolved in an excellent timely manner.”

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Your Questions Answered

We understand when the injury occurs, you are scared and need immediate help. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hope are helpful to you.

If you come to us, we have all the answers for when you are injured in any type of accident.

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What Should I Do Immediately After I’ve Been Involved In A Car Accident?

Call the police and make sure an ambulance is sent as soon as possible. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is conscious and responsive. Stay at the scene even if the accident isn’t serious, the police should be called regardless and a police report should be filed. It is important when speaking to the police that you stick to the facts, do not speculate, and most importantly do not admit any fault. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can with your cell phone. Also, we suggest taking a picture of the other person’s license plate, their drivers license, and insurance information. The pictures should document any damage that is caused by both vehicles. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if injured, even if you do not feel any pain, you may be in a state of shock and could experience medical issues later on.

How Do I Know If I Have A Personal Injury Case Regarding A Car Accident?

If you are experiencing pain, injury, or financial damages as a result of someone else’s negligence. You may have a personal injury case. If the other driver was at fault or failed to follow the legal rules of the road – our car accident attorneys may be able to prove that the other party is liable for those damages. For example, if you were rear-ended in a car accident, typically the other driver is responsible for that accident and the insurance company could be liable for any damages.

What Should I Expect The First Few Days Following A Car Accident?

Within the first few days, you will receive communications from both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. You may be contacted by your health insurance company, doctors, and even attorneys. The other driver’s insurance company may request that you sign medical authorizations so they can retrieve your medical records. Before you speak to any of these people or sign any documents, it is important that you seek legal counsel.

How To Pay For Medical Expenses While My Case Is Pending?

You may have a difficult time paying for your medical expenses, even if you have health insurance. Make sure to bill any treatment as you normally would through your healthcare provider. Additionally, you may have medical payment coverage under your car insurance plan. This could be used to cover your co-pays and other medical expenses that your health insurance company may not cover initially.

What Type Of Compensation Should I Expect To Receive For My Car Accident Case?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors. If we are successful in proving that the other party is liable for your injuries and damages, you could be compensated for medical bills and any other hospital costs, lost wages, costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, wrongful death, including loss of financial support and any other out of pocket expense that was related to your accident.

How Long Will It Take To Complete My Case?

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the length of time you need to heal from your injuries will determine the length of your claim. We also have to factor in the willingness of the other party to settle as they make their initial offer. If unreasonable offers are made, your claim may proceed to trial, which will increase the length of your claim.

What Are The Fees For Representing Me In A Car Accident Case?

At Kats, Jamison & Associates all personal injury accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we will never charge you upfront for any cost and we will advance all costs and expenses. You will not have to reimburse our Firm for any costs unless we are successful. You will pay absolutely nothing for lawyers’ fees unless we win a monetary sum in your case.