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 70391

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Zip Code 70391


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 LA 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 LA 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 70391
Hopewell John C
21122 Old Scenic Hwy Ste B
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 658-9905
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Perkins & Dupre Attorneys
19929 Old Scenic Hwy
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 658-9602
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Calhoun R Steven APLC
117 Julia St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 651-9000
Real Estate Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Title Companies,  Insurance,  Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning A
Vessel Heidi M
4511 W Central Ave
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 658-8899
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Odom Terri Hoover
500 N 7th St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 387-8811
Adoption Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Adoption Services
Donald M Randall
129 Julia St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 322-8442
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Real Estate Attorneys, Title Companies
Josh Freeman
214 Haynes St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 855-8061
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Hallack, Dennis W
500 Wood St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 323-7706
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Ronald K. Cook, A PLC
712 Splane Dr.
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 323-7141
Criminal Law Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Young, E Dion
1315 Cypress St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 355-6033
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Evans Kitchen Lauri
1575 Church St
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 654-6006
Real Estate Attorneys, Attorneys
McDavid David L Jr
1575 Church St
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 654-6006
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Myles Lonny A
1575 Church St
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 654-6006
Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Divorce Attorneys,  Business Law Atto
Henry, Sam IV
502 Trenton St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 600-5960
Attorneys, Bankruptcy Law Attorneys, Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys
Kaster Craig L & Associates
22530 Old Scenic Hwy
Zachary, LA 70791
(225) 658-5450
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Spivey, James
1515 N 7th St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 600-5368
Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys,  Bankruptcy Law
Courson Tonya
2405 N 7th St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 397-4388
Attorneys
Lee & Broussard
1807 N 7th St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 387-3872
Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Wrongful Death Attorneys,  Famil
Spivey, James II
1515 N 7th St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 387-3666
Family Law Attorneys,  Adoption Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Bankruptcy Law Attorneys
De Celle Jr Malcolm
105 Vernon St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 387-3500
Bankruptcy Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans
Young E Dion
1315 Cypress St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 388-3320
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Fewell Richard Jr
1315 Cypress St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 388-3320
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Jones, Duncan M
1315 Cypress St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 388-3320
Attorneys
Johnson & Placke LLP
105 Regency Pl
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 516-3213
Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Automobile Accident Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Att
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US