My mother is in the final stages of Alzheimer's disease, and I would like information on how to plan for probate for her estate. I assume she has a will or trust agreement and that you or someone else has her financial and medical powers of attorney.
Probate laws differ from state to state and according to the size of the estate involved.
Your best bet is to contact your local probate court for details of how estate laws work in your state. If your mother's estate is small, ask about expedited small estate procedures. In that case, you might not need a lawyer. If it is more complicated, you probably will need professional help. The purpose of probate is to make sure all of the deceased's debts are paid before distributing the remaining assets to the heirs.