Probate

A common goal found in many comprehensive estate plans is probate avoidance. Avoiding probate entirely may be impossible; however, with some careful planning you can create an estate plan that dramatically reduces the amount of time and money spent on the probate of your estate. That, in turn, may make much needed assets available to loved ones much sooner after your death. The Indianapolis estate planning attorneys at Frank & Kraft discuss common estate planning tools that can help your … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Tools to Help Avoid Probate

If you were appointed to be the Executor of the estate in the decedent’s Last Will and Testament, time is of the essence when it comes to safeguarding your loved one’s estate. As such, you need to get started in your role as Executor as soon as possible. If you have never served as an Executor, you may not know where or how to begin. To get you started, the Indianapolis probate attorneys at Frank and Kraft explain some common steps involved in probating an estate. Probate Basics Over the … [Read more...] about What Are the Steps Involved in Probating an Estate?

Throughout the course of your lifetime you will likely need the assistance and/or guidance of several different types of attorneys. Often, it is clear what type of attorney you need based on the type of legal issue you have. For example, if you find yourself under arrest you clearly need to retain the services of a criminal defense attorney. Likewise, if you decide to end a marriage, you need a family law attorney to represent you in the divorce. With other types of legal matters, however, it … [Read more...] about What Do Probate Lawyers Do?

If your mother recently passed away, you are undoubtedly mourning her loss. The last thing you probably want to focus on is probating her estate. Someone, however, needs to do so. If it appears as though you are the one who will need to take control of the administration of your mother’s estate, one of the first decisions you need to make is to decide whether formal probate is necessary. It is always best to consult with an experienced probate attorney when making such an important decision. In … [Read more...] about Is Probate Necessary after My Mother Passed Away?

Finding out that someone left you an inheritance is certainly welcome news, particularly if you have been struggling financially. As the old adage goes, however, you shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch because you may be waiting for a long time before you actually receive that inheritance. If the decedent’s estate is required to go through probate, it could take a year or longer before your inheritance can be released to you.  Why does probate take so long? The Indianapolis … [Read more...] about When Will I Receive My Inheritance?

If your mother recently died, you are likely feeling overwhelmed with the emotional and practical aftermath of her passing. If you were named as the Executor of her Last Will and Testament, or you are the most likely person to handle the administration of her estate in the absence of a Will, you will undoubtedly want to avoid formal probate if possible. The only way to know with certainty that your mother’s estate can avoid formal probate is to consult with an experienced probate attorney. The … [Read more...] about Does My Mother’s Estate Qualify for an Alternative to Formal Probate?

Finding out that someone left you an inheritance is certainly welcome news, particularly if you have been struggling financially. As the adage goes, however, you should not count your chickens before they hatch because you may be waiting for a long time before you actually receive that inheritance. If the decedent’s estate is required to go through probate, it could take a year or longer before your inheritance can be released to you.  Why does probate take so long? The Indianapolis probate … [Read more...] about When Will I Get My Inheritance?

When you think of estate planning goals, the first thing that comes to mind is likely the distribution of estate assets after your death or providing for loved ones after you are gone. While these are certainly common – and important – estate planning goals, there are several additional goals that you may also choose to include in your estate plan. Probate avoidance, for example, is a common secondary estate planning goal. To understand why probate avoidance is such a common estate planning … [Read more...] about How Long Does It Take to Probate a Will in Indiana?

If you recently lost your mother, you are undoubtedly going through a period of grief and other heightened emotions. If your mother appointed you to be the Executor of the estate, however, you must also concentrate on the practical and legal steps required following a death. Probating an estate can be a complex and emotionally exhausting process though. The Indianapolis probate lawyers at Frank & Kraft explain why you should have a lawyer help you with the probate of your mother’s … [Read more...] about Why Should I Have a Lawyer Help Me Probate My Mother’s Estate?

Probate avoidance is among the most common of all estate planning goals. If you hope to limit, or even eliminate, your estate’s exposure to the probate, you must plan accordingly. Toward that end, an Indianapolis estate planning attorney at Frank & Kraft explains five ways to avoid probate. What’s the Big Deal about Probate? When an individual dies, the assets owned by that individual at the time of death make up the decedent’s estate. Probate is the term given to the legal process … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Avoid Probate