Protecting Your Family from Estate Fraud: A Local Probate Attorney’s Guide

As probate attorneys serving in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, and surrounding counties, we regularly encounter scenarios where opportunistic scammers target grieving families. The period following a loved one’s death should focus on healing and remembrance, not defending against fraud. Our experienced team shares crucial insights to help protect Oklahoma families during probate administration.

Understanding Common Probate Fraud Schemes

Fraudulent Debt Collection Attempts

One prevalent scheme involves unauthorized debt collectors who monitor obituaries to identify potential targets. These scammers contact families claiming the deceased owed them money, often demanding immediate payment while using aggressive collection tactics and emotional manipulation.

To help families protect themselves from fraudulent debt collection attempts, we recommend several key protective measures:

• Refrain from making payments to unverified creditors
• Request formal written documentation of any claimed debt
• Remember that legitimate creditors must submit claims through proper probate channels
• Direct all collection attempts to your probate attorney for verification

Property Title Transfer Schemes

Some fraudsters distribute official-looking correspondence suggesting families need to obtain new property deed documentation, typically requesting substantial processing fees. They often create artificial urgency by suggesting potential property loss without immediate action.

When faced with property-related requests during probate, consider these important safeguards:

• Understand that property transfers occur through established probate procedures
• Recognize that immediate deed actions are rarely required
• Verify property-related requests with qualified legal counsel
• Avoid payments to third-party companies claiming to handle deed transfers

Life Insurance Benefit Fraud

Perhaps the most concerning scheme involves individuals posing as insurance representatives, requesting personal information allegedly needed to process death benefits. Their actual intent focuses on gathering data for identity theft, potentially victimizing both the deceased and surviving family members.

To protect your family’s sensitive information during the insurance claims process, we suggest these essential precautions:

• Communicate directly with known insurance providers
• Protect sensitive information like Social Security numbers and banking details
• Limit death certificate distribution to necessary parties
• Monitor credit reports for unauthorized activity

Professional Guidance Through Probate

Our experienced team understands both the emotional challenges and legal complexities families face during probate administration. We help personal representatives navigate legitimate claims while protecting the estate from fraudulent attempts to collect. By implementing proper protective measures early in the process, we can help safeguard your family’s interests throughout probate administration.

If you’re serving as a personal representative or have questions about protecting your family during probate, we invite you to schedule a consultation through our website or contact our office at (918) 608-1836. Our team can help you understand your rights and responsibilities while ensuring proper administration of your loved one’s estate.