estate administration & probate

If you are like many Indiana residents, you might not have given much thought to your estate planning. Whether you think your estate is not large enough to bother or you have decided you are too young to think about creating a will, you may feel that such matters are...

You likely know that if you die without an estate plan, the state will step in and manage your affairs. However, sometimes, even if you have an estate plan in Indiana, the state still gets involved in the finalizing of your financial affairs. This process is probate....

Single parents in Indiana face unique challenges when it comes to estate planning. When they do not have a spouse, it is even more important to consider the needs of their children in the event of their death or incapacitation. By developing a well thought out estate...

Pets are like members of the family, but the law in Indiana sees them as property. It does not recognize them as living beings. This may make you wonder if you can provide for them in your estate plan or if all you can do is leave them to someone like you would any...

As a parent, one of the best things you can do for your children is to make plans for what happens to them if you should die. This usually means naming a guardian and putting your wishes into a legal estate document in Indiana. However, if you do not do this, you have...

Should you become the executor of someone’s Indiana estate or the trustee of someone’s trust, you become a fiduciary at the same time. FindLaw explains that as a fiduciary, you must always act in the best interests of the heirs or beneficiaries rather than in your own...

A typical healthcare visit involves you telling your doctor the medical problems you are experiencing and discussing with him or her the pros and cons of various treatment options. You then decide which option you would like to pursue, and the treatment begins. While...

If you die without having written a will, your estate is called "intestate" and Indiana has very specific rules about how your estate will be distributed. Without a will, your estate might not be distributed according to your desires. It also might not be distributed...

If you are like most people in Indiana, the holiday season can feel very all-encompassing and even distract you from other important things you need to take care of. As December moves closer to the end of the year, however, your attention may well turn to the new year...

Your parent, before passing away, named you the personal representative of their estate. You worry that because you do not know your exact responsibilities, you may not serve as the best personal representative. Personal representatives make specific choices for their...