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 07040

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Zip Code 07040


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 NJ 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 NJ 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 07040
Bauman Drew J ESQ
658 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-9876
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Stephens II Theodore N
2040 Millburn Ave # 305
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-9400
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Abongwa Emmanuel
111 Dunnell Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-9400
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Kalichstein Rowain
101 Durand Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-8566
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Verner Paul W
530 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 761-8300
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Elkinson Robert A
2115 Millburn Ave # 103
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 378-8100
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Joel S. Ziegler Attorney
38 Essex Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-8000
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Divorce Assistance
Lehr Gary M
2066 Millburn Ave # 102
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 761-7777
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Semel Irwin D
7 Highland Pl # 3
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-7665
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Stern Philip D
697 Valley St # 2D
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 379-7500
Attorneys
Bauman Drew J
5 Washington Park
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-5300
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Kohn Needle & Silverman
1763 Springfield Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-4500
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Carolonza Alfred
658 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-4495
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Horton Riley
658 Ridgewood Rd
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-4404
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Laura Adjangba Law Office
2040 Millburn Ave # 101
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 761-4007
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Slaton Harrison A
620 Prospect St
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-3169
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Katz Mortimer
2115 Millburn Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-2708
Attorneys
Emanuel Fish Law Offices
2040 Millburn Ave # 104
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-2001
Litigation & Tort Attorneys, Insurance Attorneys, Attorneys
Emanuel Fish Law Offices
2040 Millburn Ave Ste 104
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-2001
Insurance Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attor
Slingerland & Slingerland
658 Ridgewood Rd Ste 1
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 762-1500
Estate Planning Attorneys, Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans, Family Law At
Garfinkle Marc D
2070 Millburn Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 275-1313
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Criminal Law Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Labor & Employm
Goldstein Toto & Samson Attys
1576 Springfield Ave
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 763-0800
Attorneys
Rosenberg Jamie C
515 Valley St # 100
Maplewood, NJ 07040
(973) 275-0441
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US