Handling a Probate Dispute Pro Se
When 35-year-old Alicia Green learned that her late father’s will was being ignored, she was shocked. Her sister, the executor, had begun selling off assets without court approval — and without sharing any information. Alicia was a named beneficiary, but no one had told her what was happening with the estate. With no money for a lawyer and a deep sense of injustice, she turned to Courtroom5 to take action in probate court.
The Conflict
Alicia’s father passed away in 2023, leaving a will that divided his estate equally between Alicia and her older sister, Tanya. Tanya was named executor. At first, Alicia expected things to go smoothly. But months passed without updates.
Then she found out Tanya had already sold their father’s car and was preparing to list his house — all without notifying the court or the heirs. Alicia contacted a lawyer but couldn’t afford the retainer. She searched online and found Courtroom5.
Filing Her Objection With Courtroom5
Alicia signed up for the Pro Se Litigator Plan and used the platform’s Personal Practice of Law — a 5-step AI-guided process — to challenge her sister’s actions in court.
Step 1: Choosing the Procedure
Courtroom5 helped Alicia identify the proper procedure: a motion to compel accounting and freeze estate assets. She also decided to file a petition to remove the executor.
Step 2: Reviewing the Rules
Courtroom5 guided Alicia through the state probate rules, showing her what documents to file, what deadlines applied, and how to serve notice to the executor and other parties.
Step 3: Fact Pattern Analysis
Alicia used Courtroom5’s tools to break down her facts:
- She was a named beneficiary in the will.
- She received no inventory or updates.
- The executor sold property without approval.
- She feared the estate was being mismanaged.
These facts supported her legal position — that the executor had breached her fiduciary duty.
Step 4: Legal Research
Courtroom5 recommended search terms like “executor breach of duty” and “petition to remove executor.” Alicia found helpful cases showing that heirs could intervene if the executor failed to follow probate procedure. Courtroom5 summarized the opinions so she could understand and cite them.
Step 5: Document Generation
Courtroom5 then helped Alicia generate:
- A motion to compel accounting
- A petition to suspend or remove the executor
- Instructions for filing and serving the documents
Hearings and Case Management
The probate judge scheduled a hearing. Alicia used Courtroom5 to:
- Prepare a timeline of events
- Organize the facts in her trial notebook
- Draft an opening statement
- Respond to Tanya’s attorney’s motion to dismiss
The judge agreed that Alicia had standing and allowed her case to proceed.
Discovery and Settlement
During discovery, Alicia requested:
- A full financial inventory
- Records of all estate transactions
- Emails showing communication about the estate
Courtroom5 helped her review the documents and summarize key points. She discovered that Tanya had withdrawn money from the estate account for personal use.
Faced with this evidence, Tanya agreed to step down as executor. A neutral third party was appointed, and Alicia began receiving her share of the estate.
What Alicia Learned
Alicia never imagined she’d have to fight her own sister in court. But with Courtroom5, she was able to:
- Understand probate procedure
- Analyze her legal rights
- Research relevant law
- Generate accurate court filings
- Take control of her case
The Personal Practice of Law gave her the knowledge and confidence to demand justice.
You Can Do It Too
If you’re a beneficiary being left out of the estate process, or if the executor isn’t doing their job, you don’t need a lawyer to stand up for your rights. Courtroom5 gives you the tools to fight back in probate court.
Start your Personal Practice of Law today. Fairness matters — and you can make it happen.