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 61801

Do I Need a Probate Lawyer in Zip Code 61801


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 Zip Code 61801
Mark Ingersoll
201 W Green St Ste C
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 344-9906
Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys,  Real Estate Att
Ryan Gregory L
123 W Main St # 210
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-9801
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Bern's Law Office
135 W Main St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-9005
Criminal Law Attorneys, Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Parkinson Donald R
135 W Main St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-7111
Traffic Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Criminal Law Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  Mediation Servic
Thomas P. Sweeney, Attorney
306 W Green St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 344-6414
Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys
Hanlon, Patrick J - Frederick & Hagle
129 W Main St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-6092
Attorneys,  Labor & Employment Law Attorneys,  Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Personal
Frederick & Hagle
129 W Main St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-6092
Employee Benefits & Worker Compensation Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys
Peak Philip W
129 W Main St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-6092
Insurance Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans, Labor & Employment Law Attorneys, Personal Inju
Peak, Philip W - Frederick & Hagle
129 W Main St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-6092
Insurance Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans,  Labor & Employment Law Attorneys,  Personal
Bruno Law Offices
301 W Green St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 328-6000
Attorneys,  Attorneys Referral & Information Service,  Legal Service Plans,  DUI & DWI Attorneys
Mc Gavran Jacqueline
2403 Burlison Dr
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 337-5651
Real Estate Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Patel Law PC
108 W University Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(866) 699-5499
Attorneys, Criminal Law Attorneys, DUI & DWI Attorneys
Bergstrom Andrea
301 W Green St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 344-5059
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Cottrell James D
507 S Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 328-4300
Attorneys,  Tax Attorneys,  Elder Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Corporation
Mann Arthur L
507 S Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 328-4300
Attorneys
Harvey C. Welch
401 W Elm St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-3200
Attorneys
Auler Law Offices
300 S Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3080
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Tuggle, Schiro & Lichtenberger, P.C.
LINCOLN Square Mall, Suite 154B
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 689-2763
Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Malpractice Law Attorneys,  Accident & Prop
Bryan George G
115 N Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-2500
Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys, Corporation & Partnership Law Attorneys, Legal
Verchota Allen E III Atty
115 N Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 367-2500
Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Real Estate Attorneys,  Legal Service Plans
Dobrovolny James L
306 W Green St
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 344-2376
Tummelson Bryan & Knox
115 N Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(866) 823-2022
Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Elder Law Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,
Tuggle, Schiro & Lichtenberger, P.C.
201 Lincoln Sq Ste 154
Urbana, IL 61801
(888) 454-1721
Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Corp
Ruth E Wyman Law Office
202 S Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 239-1544
Child Custody Attorneys, Attorneys, Family Law Attorneys
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US