Experienced and Affordable Louisville Probate Attorneys
Are you named the executor or administrator of your relative's estate?
Do you need legal help probating your loved one's estate?
At The English Law Group, P.S.C., we offer more than sixty years of legal experience in probate and estate administration. Our probate attorneys can help you fully understand your rights and obligations as a personal representative of an estate in Kentucky or Indiana.
Representing Executors and Administrators from Kentucky and Out of State
Whether you live in Kentucky or you reside elsewhere, we can guide you through the often-complicated process of settling an estate. When trying to probate an estate in Kentucky, it is extremely important to work with counsel who are familiar with the local probate court rules and who fully understand Kentucky's probate requirements. If you live out of state, we are available by telephone, e-mail and fax to answer your questions. In some situations, it is possible to administer the estate remotely. By acting as your liaison with the probate court, we can save you time and travel expenses.
If you are the executor of a loved one's will, or a probate court appointed you to administer a family member's estate,
call (502) 425-8717 or contact us online. Our probate attorneys can explain your required duties and guide you through the process of settling the estate.
What is Probate?
People often get confused and nervous when the word "probate" comes up. Probate is merely a division of county court that deals with the administration of your estate. Many people think that if they have a will they don't have to go through probate. This is not true. For example, if you hold property in your name alone, you will most likely have to go through probate court. In probate, the judge will determine if a will (if there is one) is legally valid. If there is no will, the judge will make sure the property is divided in accordance with the statutes. A representative (executor or administrator) will also be appointed, and a bond may be required. Probate is open for at least six months. This can be an emotional and confusing time. We are here to make the process as smooth as possible.
The things that usually go through probate are real estate, personal property, bank accounts, stocks, and cash. If you hold most of your property jointly, you might not need to go through probate. We are here to help you navigate through it all.
Things that are NOT part of your probated estate are those things that you hold jointly "or" with someone else: IRAs, annuities, life insurance - anything where you name a beneficiary.
Simplifying the Often-Complex Probate Process
Settling an estate is time-consuming and sometimes quite difficult. We can help an executor or administrator complete estate administration tasks in an efficient and cost-effective manner:
Inventory of Assets:
We can help you determine what assets, property and funds are included in the estate. For example, if the estate is named as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the proceeds must be included in the estate.
Valuation and Sale of Real Estate and Property:
Our experienced real estate lawyers are familiar with the laws regarding a surviving spouse's dower or curtsy interests and understand how the language of a real property deed must be carefully examined. We also know how to help you obtain an accurate appraisal or property evaluation. If a home or other property needs to be sold, we can also help with residential real estate transactions.
Paying Debts and Liabilities:
We help the personal representative serve or publish any required notices, as well as identify and pay any outstanding debts, taxes or other liabilities.
Distribution of Assets:
If your family member left a will (died testate), we can help make sure that all assets are distributed to the heirs named in the will or trust. If the person died without a will (died intestate), we can help transfer property and assets to family members as required by the intestacy laws of Kentucky, or Indiana.
Filing Documents in Probate Court:
We help ensure that all documents are filed correctly with the probate court and within any required deadlines.
Filing Estate Tax Returns:
We can help you complete and file the necessary estate tax returns.
Contact the probate attorneys of The English Law Group, P.S.C. to arrange your initial consultation. From our offices in Louisville, we can help settle estates in Jefferson County, and throughout North Central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana.