Louisville Probate Attorneys

The experienced Louisville Probate Attorneys at The Law Firm of John H. Ruby & Associates can help you and your family with any probate related issues and questions. The process of probate is designed to facilitate the legal settlement and transfer of a person’s estate after they pass. If the person died leaving a last will and testament he or she is said to have died testate. In this case, the executor named in the will is in charge of handling the details of the estate and carrying out the wishes of the deceased, as per the will. If the testator fails to name an executor in the will, the court will appoint someone to act as administrator for the estate. If the person died without a will, he or she is said to have died intestate. In this case, a probate court judge will appoint someone to act as administrator for the estate. The administrator to the estate is responsible for filing the necessary paperwork, providing proof of death, and proof that the will is legal before the probate court.

Do you need the assistance of capable and experienced Louisville Probate Attorneys? Contact the Louisville Probate Attorneys at The Law Firm of John H. Ruby & Associates today for answers and solutions to all your probate questions and issues!

A probate lawyer can make sure all your final wishes are legally expressed and set to contract to be carried out after your death or incase of disability or incapacity. Once all the beneficiaries are named in the will, all the creditors of the estate are notified of the passing, and a list of all debts and assets are presented to the court the estate goes into probate for legal settlement. The executor will manage the day-to-day affairs of the estate. The court will have to grant the executor permission to settle any claims against the estate and distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries. The executer might have to sell some of the property or assets to settle debts or to honor certain requests in the will. The court will also approve any transactions that might come up due to disputes or settlements.

One of our capable and qualified Louisville Probate Attorneys can help you with all your probate needs including:

Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Designate a Guardian
Designate a Successor Custodian
Designate an Executor
Appoint a Trustee
Distribution of Property
Power of Attorney
Healthcare Proxy
Payment of Estate Tax
Inheritance Rights
Inter Vivos Trust
Inter Vivos Gifts

Steps involved in the process of probate include:

Proof that the will is valid and legal
The assets have to be inventoried
The beneficiaries named in the will must be notified
Creditors have to be notified
Property has to be appraised
Debts and taxes have to be settled
The remaining assets are distributed according to the will
If the person died intestate the state will distribute the assets

Certain assets never enter into probate but they may pass directly to the person named by contract as a beneficiary. Such assets may include bank accounts, life insurance policies, living trusts, or right of survivorship assets. Estate taxes cannot be avoided, but they may be reduced with a well-structured Intro Vivos Trust. Another way to circumvent estate or inheritance taxes is to give away the asset completely and irrevocably or to donate it to a charitable organization.