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 Acme, PA

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Acme, PA


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 Acme, PA
Palange Dawn M L
200 Spring Ridge Dr # 205
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 685-9960
Family Law Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys, Attorneys
Robert Mirin
2515 N Front St Ste 1
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 909-9900
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Alderfer Jennifer R
845 N Park Rd Ste 101
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 372-9900
Bankruptcy Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Case Dexter K
845 N Park Rd Ste 101
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 372-9900
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Case Di Giamberardino & Lutz
845 N Park Rd Ste 101
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 372-9900
Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,  Bankruptcy Services,  Management Consultants,  Bankruptcy Law Atto
Lutz George M
845 N Park Rd Ste 101
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 372-9900
Bankruptcy Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Von Vital Todd M Attorney
200 Spring Ridge Dr Ste 202
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 939-9866
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Freeburn & Hamilton, P.C.
2040 Linglestown Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 265-9822
Automobile Accident Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Employee Benefits
Gallagher Terrence V
416 Jefferson Ave
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 347-9816
Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans
Nichole M Staley O'Gorman
1820 Linglestown Rd
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 236-9777
Attorneys,  Divorce Attorneys,  Mediation Services,  Child Support Collections,  Divorce Assistance,
Benjamin Hess
1408 Penn Ave
Reading, PA 19610
(610) 376-9736
Attorneys, Real Estate Attorneys, Insurance Attorneys, Product Liability Law Attorneys, Litigation &
Caldwell & Kearns Pc
3631 N Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 686-9592
Attorneys,  Criminal Law Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Divorce Attorneys,  Banking & Mortgage L
Caldwell & Kearns (Douglas K. Marsico)
3631 N Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 686-9592
Attorneys,  Criminal Law Attorneys,  Drug Charges Attorneys,  Traffic Law Attorneys,  Legal Service
Altland, P Daniel - Caldwell & Kearns
3631 N Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 686-9592
Corporation & Partnership Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Real Estate Attorneys,
Placey Richard L
3631 N Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 236-9577
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Vance Jr Robert T
100 S Broad St # 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19110
(215) 557-9550
Vance Robert
100 S Broad St # 2230
Philadelphia, PA 19110
(215) 557-9550
Attorneys, DUI & DWI Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Mancke John B
2233 N Front St
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 686-9395
Criminal Law Attorneys, DUI & DWI Attorneys, Attorneys
Navitsky Olson & Wisneski
2040 Linglestown Rd Ste 303
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 541-9205
Insurance Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans
Andrascik Allen
2601 Darlington Rd
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
(724) 846-9188
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Serratelli Schiffman Brown & Calhoon PC
2080 Linglestown Rd Ste 101
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 540-9170
Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Corporation & Partnership Law Attorneys,  E
Serratelli, Lori K - Serratelli Schiffman Brown Cal
2080 Linglestown Rd Ste 201
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 540-9170
Attorneys, Criminal Law Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys, Divorce Attorneys, Social Security & Disabi
Marcin Frank A
811 Mulberry St
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 347-9050
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Marcmn Law Office
811 Mulberry St
Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 347-9050
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US