When a person passes away, their debts don’t vanish. Instead, resolving these obligations falls to the legal process that is part of the deceased’s broader estate administration. An estate executor or administrator is tasked with identifying and valuing the deceased's...
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Contesting a trust in Indiana
Many Indiana residents include trusts in their estate plans to reduce their estate tax exposure, give them more control over how and when their assets will be distributed, and help to avoid probate. Trusts are flexible and useful estate planning tools, but they can be...
What happens if you die without a will?
Perhaps you have heard of estate planning, which is arranging and managing an individual’s assets, properties and financial affairs to prepare for the future. This is true, but it is not mandatory and not everyone does it. In fact, some people die without a will....
The multi-faceted role of a probate judge
In Indiana, a probate judge has a multi-faceted role that involves managing the legal matters of a decedent or and incapacitated person’s estate. Validating wills and overseeing the distribution of assets are a few of the many related responsibilities probate judges...
Why a professional executor may be right for you
Anyone who is a legal adult of sound mind can serve as the administrator of your Indiana estate after you pass away. If you're like most people, you'll probably choose an adult child, a sibling or some other close family member to serve in this role. However, it may...
What to do after you’ve inherited property in Indiana
Inheriting a property isn't common for most people in Indiana - it probably only happens once in a lifetime if you are lucky. As a result, many individuals don't know what steps to take after receiving news of their inheritance. If you've recently inherited a piece of...
Qualities that make a good Southern Indiana attorney-in-fact
An attorney-in-fact, also known as a power of attorney (POA), is a person appointed to act on behalf of another person in legal or financial matters in Southern Indiana. Choosing the right attorney-in-fact in Indiana is a crucial decision that should not be taken...
How to remove a trustee in Southern Indiana probate court
There are several reasons someone would want to remove a trustee in Southern Indiana. It’s not uncommon for beneficiaries or family members to have disagreements with the person managing the trust. When these disagreements are left to fester, many people might look to...
What does it mean to be an executor of a will?
A close friend or a family member has asked if you will be the executor of their Indiana will. You've agreed to do so, but do you understand what an executor is and the duties of being one? Definition of an executor An executor of a will serves as the legal...
Credit card debt and estate planning in Indiana
In Indiana, debts do not automatically disappear when a person dies. Individuals and families need to understand what happens to credit card debt after a loved one’s death and how to handle it properly and pay off any outstanding balances. Estate planning and credit...