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 15104

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Zip Code 15104


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 PA 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 PA 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 15104
Kops Stanley P
102 Bala Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 949-9999
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Coffey Kaye Myers & Olley
2 Bala Plz
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 668-9800
Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attorneys,  Insurance Attorneys,  Product Liability Law Attorneys
Karoly John Jr Atty
1555 N 18th St
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 820-9790
Attorneys,  Criminal Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans
Creveling Wilbur C Jr Attorney
828 N Ott St
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 435-9773
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Aritz Frank J
23 W Walnut St
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 288-9751
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Berdugo & Fialkoff,
1 Union Ave, Po Box 591
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(215) 992-9662
Bankruptcy Services,  Bankruptcy Law Attorneys,  Immigration Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Immigration
Speyer Debra G
2 Bala Plz # 300
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 949-9555
Securities & Investment Law Attorneys, Attorneys
Markowitz & Richman
121 N Cedar Crest Blvd Ste M
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 820-9531
Legal Service Plans, Attorneys, Labor & Employment Law Attorneys, Employee Benefits & Worker Compens
Terrana Jr, Angelo Terrana Law
400 3rd Ave # 117
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 283-9500
Attorneys, Real Estate Attorneys, Title Companies, Estate Planning Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Terrana Law
400 3rd Ave Ste 117
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 283-9500
Attorneys,  Business Law Attorneys,  Real Estate Attorneys,  Title Companies,  Legal Service Plans,
Scherf Mary A
5 W Lodges Ln
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 949-9477
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Stitt John W
1434 W Market St
York, PA 17404
(717) 846-9400
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Pavlack Keith R
1908 W Allen St
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 433-9370
Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property
Rish & Shaw
278 Courtdale Ave
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 283-9345
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Feldman Law Offices
221 N Cedar Crest Blvd
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 530-9285
Bankruptcy Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Rush Renkert Barbara
1405 N Cedar Crest Blvd
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 770-9191
Attorneys, Estate Planning Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Wiener M S Attorney
3605 Trexler Blvd
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 481-9188
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Hiscox and Musto Law Offices
400 3rd Ave Ste 200
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 714-9100
Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys, Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Berger Steven B
111 Presidential Blvd # 208
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
(610) 668-9070
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Dr. Michael Callahan
550 3rd Ave
Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 288-9070
Attorneys
Schantz & Gray
2310 Walbert Ave Ste 102
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 770-9011
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Knafo Law Offices
1409 Hausman Rd
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 395-9001
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
A Accidentattorney.Com
1409 Hausman Rd
Allentown, PA 18104
(610) 395-9001
Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Malpractice Law Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,
Moot William E
616 Lamberd Ave
Johnstown, PA 15904
(814) 266-8911
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US