Can a probate ruling be appealed?

A fellow caregiver asked...

Can a probate ruling be appealed?

Expert Answer

Barbara Repa, a Caring.com senior editor, is an attorney, a journalist specializing in aging issues, and the author of Your Rights in the Workplace (Nolo), now in its 10th edition.

While your question is tough to answer without seeing the actual order you want to contest, the short answer is that most probate rulings can be appealed. To find out the exact wording of the law in your state, do a search for "probate court" and also type in the name of the county in which the order was issued. Most state courts these days include the text of the probate laws on their websites.

One caveat, though: While you can handle many matters in probate court on your own, you will probably need to hire a lawyer to help you with such an appeal, since it may involve legal tactical matters and such. If you go this route, look for a lawyer who is experienced in probate matters. And do not hesitate to shop around until you find one who seems to be a good fit for you.