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Helping Boise and Idaho families protect their children, and assets through the probrate process with clear and thoughtful guidance.
Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect the people you love. At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we help individuals and families throughout Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley create clear, legally sound estate plans that provide peace of mind and long-term security.
Whether you need a will, a trust, guidance through the probate process, or completing critical documents, our attorneys take a practical, personalized approach. We focus on making estate planning understandable, efficient, and tailored to your life, not overly complicated or one-size-fits-all.
“Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give to your family. We will help set up a smooth inheritance so it’s not as hard as you might think.”
Probate is the legal process used to settle a person’s estate after death. In Idaho, probate may involve validating a will, paying debts, and distributing property according to the will or, if no will exists, Idaho law.
Depending on the estate, probate can take several months or longer. A simple probate takes less time than a contested probate. Cozakos & Centeno Law has experience and are happy to help Idaho families with simple or contested probates.
Probate is required when someone dies owning property in their name alone and there is no automatic way to transfer that property to another person. Some exceptions apply. Probate allows a court-appointed personal representative to manage the estate, address valid debts and distribute property to the appropriate beneficiaries or heirs.
Probate is commonly needed when:
Not necessarily. A will provides instructions for distributing property, but it does not automatically prevent probate. Whether probate is required generally depends on what the deceased person owned, how the property was titled and whether the assets have another legal method of transfer.
Attorneys Shelly Cozakos and Susan Centeno help families in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley determine whether probate may be required and understand the next steps under Idaho law. Both attorneys work on simple probates and contested probates.
A personal representative is the person appointed by the court to manage and settle an estate during probate. You can select your personal respresentative by completing a will before you need it. Sometimes called an executor, the personal representative is responsible for carrying out the instructions in a valid will while following Idaho probate law and acting in the best interests of the estate.
In most cases, a personal representative is responsible for:
Estate planning is not just about documents it’s about making informed decisions that protect your family.
At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we bring a thoughtful and practical approach to estate planning, backed by years of experience serving clients throughout Boise and the surrounding communities.
We are known for:
We take the time to understand your goals and help you build a plan that truly works for your life, your family, and your future; not just today, but for years to come.
Our approach is practical and straightforward. Our entire law practice is dedicated to families. Because we handle both estate planning and probate and contested probate matters, we can help clients create plans that work as intended and reduce unnecessary complications for their families.
Get help your Idaho Probate Matter – Contact Us.
Probate can feel confusing, especially when you are grieving the loss of a family member. Understanding how probate works in Idaho including when it may be required, what a personal representative does, and how long the process may take can help you move forward with greater confidence.
Cozakos & Centeno Law guides individuals and families in Boise and throughout the Treasure Valley through the Idaho probate process. The following answers address common probate questions and explain what you may expect as an estate is settled.
Idaho probate costs vary based on whether its a simple probate or a contested probate. A contested probate will cost more due to the additional time and potential additional court fees. Not all attorneys charge the same for their services.
Schedule your free consultation with Cozakos & Centeno here.
The probate process timeline varies. However, it’s a minimum of 6 months and often more than a year. Complex or contested probates can take 12 -18 months or longer.
We’ve worked with probate cases for a long time. Clients are enouraged to consider the average process time for a simple probate is about 12-18 months.
If you die without a will in Idaho, your estate is distributed according to Idaho intestacy laws. This means the court decides who receives your assets based on a fixed formula, which may not align with your personal wishes or family dynamics.
Probate in Idaho is the legal process of settling a person’s estate after death. It involves validating a will, paying debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. Depending on the complexity of the estate, probate can take a minimum of 6 months, but on average takes 12-18 months.
If you have minor children, your will allows you to name a guardian to care for them when you are no longer able to. Without this designation, the court will decide who assumes responsibility, which may not reflect your preferences. This happens as part of the probate process and guardianship process.
In some cases, probate can be avoided or minimized through tools such as trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper asset titling. However, whether probate can be fully avoided depends on your specific situation and planning strategy. Work directly with one of our Idaho Estate Planning attorneys to finalize your strategy.
It is possible to complete the probate process without an attorney. Be aware the probate process is a delicate balance of papework collection, court deadlines, appearances and estate management. Without a knowledgeable and experienced local attorney, additional fees, delays and family feuds can happen quickly. Susan Centeno and Shelly Cozakos are available to guide families and their heirs through the proceedings as efficiently as possible. This can prevent costly mistakes, personal liability and disputes later.
Yes. Many trusts, especially revocable living trusts, allow assets to pass to beneficiaries without going through probate. This can help save time, reduce costs, and keep your estate matters private.
At Cozakos and Centeno, our team of experienced Boise attorneys values our clients and believes that legal counsel should be widely available. Together, we have over 35 years of experience practicing law. We have extensive experience in adoption and surrogacy law, estate planning and probate law, family and divorce law, and bringing justice to business law, including litigation. Cozakos and Centeno have a long-standing positive reputation in Idaho and within our practice areas, as well as an impressive track record of success.
If you’re looking for a law firm in Boise’s Metropolitan area or Treasure Valley, you’re probably dealing with something important and time-sensitive.
At Cozakos & Centeno Law, we don’t just “handle cases.” We step in when situations are complex, contested, or too important to get wrong. Whether you’re navigating probate, facing a family law issue, building a business, or working through an adoption, our team brings both legal strategy and real-world experience to the table.
We serve individuals and families across Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley, with a focus on clear guidance, strong advocacy, and outcomes that protect what matters most.
Our core practice areas are below. How can we help you to find the right path forward?
At Cozakos & Centeno Law Firm in Boise, Idaho, we are committed to helping you navigate complex legal issues with ease. Our experienced and dedicated team of attorneys specializes in adoption and surrogacy law, estate planning and probate law, family and divorce law, and business law. Our team takes pride in providing personalized attention to each of our clients. We believe in practical, personal, and professional legal services, tailored to meet your unique needs and interests. Trust us to provide you with effective representation and guidance throughout the legal process. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team of Boise attorneys. We can assist you in finding the right solution for your legal matter.
“Shelly is the only attorney I work with professionally and personally, and the only one I confidently refer to clients. She has provided legal services for my company for 13 years, and knowing I can trust and rely on her has brought peace during stressful times. Shelly is strong yet caring, thinks ahead, and plans accordingly. She handles highly emotional clients well and brings a calming presence in a crisis. Having used Shelly’s services and knowing others who have I know she is incredibly competent in several areas of law. I describe her as brilliant and the only attorney I feel comfortable working with.”
