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 Dorsey, IL

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Dorsey, IL


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 IL 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 IL 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 Dorsey, IL
Paul W Johnson
3505 Bannon Ridge Ct
Belleville, IL 62221
(618) 622-9900
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Andrew Wojewnik Law Office
304 N River Rd
Fox River Grove, IL 60021
(847) 516-9555
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Brian J Mulhern PC
15 Salt Creek Ln Ste 210
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 850-9550
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Avgeris George N. Chartered
29 E 1st St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 296-9538
Accident & Property Damage Attorneys, Attorneys, Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys, Personal In
Manning Mary K
303 S Mattis Ave
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 356-9500
General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans, Attorneys
Maatuka Shayla
303 S Mattis Ave Ste 201
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 356-9500
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Dodd Maatuka Ludwig
303 S Mattis Ave # 201
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 356-9500
Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Divorce Attorneys, Probate Law Attorneys, Immigration Law Attorneys
Dodd Ludwig Maatuka LLC
303 S Mattis Ave
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 356-9500
Corporation & Partnership Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Immigration Law Attorne
Ludwig Mary Christine
303 S Mattis Ave # 201
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 356-9500
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,  Family Law Attorneys,
Al-Heeti Roaa
303 S Mattis Ave # 201
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 356-9500
Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Divorce Attorneys, Probate Law Attorneys, Immigration Law Attorneys
Kurtz Law Offices Ltd
32 Blaine St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 323-9444
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Blinstrubas Robert
15 Spinning Wheel Rd Ste 300
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 789-9246
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Tavoso Julie
123 E Ogden Ave # 101A
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 325-9100
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Ekroth & Osborne Ltd
15 Salt Creek Ln Ste 122
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 850-9090
Estate Planning Attorneys, Legal Service Plans, Attorneys
Martoccio & Martoccio
15 N Lincoln St
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 920-8855
Legal Service Plans, Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Labor & Employment Law Attorneys, Divorce Atto
Hartzell Glidden Tucker & Hartzell
608 Wabash Ave
Carthage, IL 62321
(866) 318-8384
Attorneys
Mandrgoc David
115 W 1st St # 30
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-7777
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Mandrgoc David W
724 Forest Park Dr
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 284-7649
Attorneys
Stanley John D
114 S Walnut St
Carmi, IL 62821
(618) 382-7388
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Whitcombe Paul
221 W Everett St
Dixon, IL 61021
(815) 288-7209
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Naylor Vi Samuel
84 S Madison St
Carthage, IL 62321
(217) 357-6604
Family Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Hawkins Jeffery Atty
14 Lake Crest Dr
Decatur, IL 62521
(217) 428-6480
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Luebchow Kevin H
2504 Galen Dr
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 355-5510
General Practice Attorneys
Torricelli Ken
2504 Galen Dr # 101
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 355-5510
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US