Probate attorneys are legal professionals with expertise in handling the issues that arise during estate settlement procedures. Generally, these attorneys specialize in either the administrative side of probate or in litigating disputes over wills. Often, the person named as executor in a will seeks legal advice and assistance in filing the correct forms and ensuring that all relevant parties are notified. Handling estate taxes, trusts, and other financial factors also require a certain level of familiarity with state and federal laws. A probate attorney can sometimes be hired for a flat fee depending on the size and complexity of the estate.

The services of a probate litigator are necessary if an individual wishes to contest a will. Since these cases can be lengthy, the fees are usually assessed on an hourly basis. There is a statute of limitations on how long a person can wait to file an objection to a will. The clock generally starts when the person receives notification of the probate hearing. An experienced probate lawyer will be familiar with the state laws that determine the time frame for contesting a will.