A lawyer can help you meet all deadlines and avoid mistakes and delays, and can sometimes help avoid disagreements among family members over minor or major issues. But the lawyer represents the interests of the personal representative, not the beneficiaries.

You may not need a lawyer if:

• you are the sole beneficiary,
• the decedent’s property consists of common assets (like house, bank accounts, insurance, etc.)
• the will is simple and straightforward, and
• you have access to good self service materials.

(“About Probate – How to Probate a Decedent’s Estate.” The Superior Court of California – County of Santa Clara. http://www.scscourt.org/self_help/probate/property/probate_overview.shtml. Retrieved 17 July 2017.)

If the court receives no objections to admitting the will to probate, and if everything seems in order, the court will approve the petition, appoint the personal representative, order that taxes and creditors be paid, and requires the personal representative to file reports with the court to assure all the deceased’s property is accounted for and distributed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the will. (“What goes on in the probate of an uncontested will?” Free Advice Legal.  https://law.freeadvice.com/estate_planning/probate/probate_of_uncontested_will.htm. Retrieved 17 July 2017.)