12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow  Easy Questions  
12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow Instant Legal Documents
 
 
FINANCIAL & MARITAL

Cohabitation Agreement coming soon!
Separation Agreement coming soon!
No-Fault Divorce coming soon!
Bankruptcy coming soon!
 
 

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Zip Code 36068

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Zip Code 36068


When the time comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die!
 
- Jim Elliot


Probate is the process that occurs after an individual passes away. It involves distributing assets and taking care of any debts. This process happens regardless of whether or not there is a Last Will and Testament.

A probate lawyer is an estate or a trust lawyer that can help manage the filing of the last testament or will of a deceased individual. Probate attorneys can also help create a Last Will and Testament and can assist with trust planning (including Living Trusts) as well as powers of attorney and medical powers of attorney. They can assist the executor of the will with preparing and filing of all documents required by a probate court.

Some people do estate planning on their own and others get legal advice from a probate or trust lawyer. As the executor winds up an estate, they may want legal advice from an experienced lawyer who is familiar with both state law and how the local probate court works. However, not all executors feel the need to hire a probate lawyer. If the estate doesn't contain any unusual assets and isn't too large, the executor may be able to complete the task without a lawyer's help.

Several factors may help an executor decide if they need the help of a probate lawyer. Was there any probate-avoidance estate planning? Assets can be transferred to their new owners without probate court if they are held in joint tenancy, survivorship community property or transferred to a Living Trust. Probate is also unnecessary for assets for which the deceased person named a beneficiary—for example, retirement accounts or life insurance policy proceeds.

Things get more complicated when an estate includes a business, commercial real estate, or any other asset that requires special handling. You may want to consult experts if you need to manage, appraise, or sell a business.

If there's enough money to pay off debts (taxes, medical expenses, funeral costs, credit card bills, mortgages, car loans, etc.), with some left over for beneficiaries, you won't have to figure out which debts to pay. If your initial investigation reveals that there may not be enough money in the estate to pay debts and taxes, don't pay any bills before you get legal advice. State law gives some creditors priority over others.

Today, more than 99.7% of all estates don't owe federal estate tax. There's also a very small chance that the estate will owe estate taxes to the state. You may need expert legal and tax advice if the estate is large and must file an estate tax return, either with the IRS or the state taxing authority.

Many states offer small estate procedures such as summary probate and an entirely out-of-court process that requires presenting a sworn affidavit to the person or institution holding the asset.

Are family members talking about suing over the estate? Probate lawsuits tear families apart and can drain a lot of money from the estate in the process. A lawyer may be able to help the executor avoid a court battle or to deal with it if it is unavoidable.

Only you can decide if hiring a lawyer is right for you. Check out 12Law.com for listings of lawyers in your neighborhood.
 
Personalize & Print a Free AL Last Will Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
 
Personalize & Print a Free AL Living Trust Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Related Legal Services near Zip Code 36068
Dunsmore Deborah L
133 E Laurel St # B
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-9999
Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,
Paulk Law Firm PC
231 S Market St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-6060
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Scott Berry PC
219 S Market St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-5959
Attorneys
Berry & Assoc
219 S Market St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-5959
Divorce Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Eustace Daryl Attorney
115 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-5900
Automobile Accident Attorneys, Transportation Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Kennamer Stephen M
233 S Market St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-5809
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Porter John F III Attorney
123 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-5156
Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attorneys,  Automobile Accident Attorneys,  Estate Planning Attorney
Pitts & Zanaty
1225 Oak Grove Rd
Munford, AL 36268
(256) 315-5052
Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Attorneys Referral & Information Service
Stewart Patricia C
244 S Broad St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-3582
Family Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Lackey Patricia S
107 W Willow St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 575-2825
Adoption Law Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attorneys,  Bankruptcy Law Attorneys,  Criminal Law Att
Tally William W
129 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-2546
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys, Real Estate Attorneys, Ge
Parks Will
101 S Broad St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-2201
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Butler Morgan
133 E Laurel St # A
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-2050
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Graham Robert
1712 Decatur Hwy
Fultondale, AL 35068
(205) 841-1842
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Divorce Assistance, Legal Service Plans
White J William
109 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-1711
Attorneys, Real Estate Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Lackey Law Firm
126 E Peachtree St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
256-262-7516
Attorneys,  Divorce Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Real Estate Attorneys,  Perso
Finis Royal
132 E Peachtree St Ste B Suite B
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-1428
Criminal Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Royal Finis Atty
217 S Market St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-1428
Attorneys
Mc Ginty James S
206 S Broad St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-1259
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
F Brian Rice
219 S Market St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-1206
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Parks Will
107 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-1162
Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,  Personal Injury Law Attorne
Armstrong Tommy
112 E Peachtree St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-1123
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,
Lamunyon Patterson Dara A Attorney
107 E Laurel St
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 574-1111
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Edmiston Parker
209 S Market St # 101
Scottsboro, AL 35768
(256) 259-0834
Attorneys, Criminal Law Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Accident & Property Damage Attorneys, DUI &
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US