Guiding You Through The Estate Administration Process
Probate and estate administration are areas of law that can be confusing even under normal circumstances. But when a family member or other loved one has passed away, it can be especially difficult to tend to their final affairs while also working through your own grief.
We can help. Miller Flannery Law LLC offers advice and skilled legal representation in most estate law matters, including estate planning, estate administration and probate.
Dearborn County Probate Lawyers
Probate is essentially a court-guided process that wraps up the decedent’s financial affairs and carries out the distribution of assets as detailed in estate planning documents. Among other things, duties include filing a final tax return, taking a careful inventory of assets, paying creditors and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the will. Under normal circumstances, the process can take between six months and one year.
The need for probate can often be avoided through careful estate planning, but not always. When probate is necessary, you should leave this complicated process in the hands of an experienced attorney. We can be especially helpful in cases where the decedent had significant debts and numerous creditors.
For smaller estates (worth no more than $50,000 in probate assets), our firm can assist with alternatives to probate. These include small-estate affidavits and survivorship affidavits.
Estate Administration Services And Litigation
If you have been named the personal representative for a loved one’s estate, we can provide valuable assistance as you fulfill your duties and obligations. Depending on a number of factors, including the financial status of the estate, the administration process can be supervised or unsupervised. Unsupervised is generally preferred, because it doesn’t require continuous oversight from the probate court.
Unfortunately, there are situations that require supervised administration, including an unclear will, a dispute among beneficiaries and unusual or complicated assets. Our firm is prepared help you comply with the terms of supervised administration and to resolve any issues, including ones that require litigation (such as will contests).
Discuss Your Legal Needs For Free — Contact Us Today
With an office in Lawrenceburg, we offer free initial consultations to potential clients throughout southeast Indiana. To speak with one of our attorneys, call Miller Flannery Law LLC at 812-496-3666. You can also fill out our online contact form.