Kentucky Law Blog

With someone dies, their estate will usually have to go through a process called probate. This process is intended to make sure that your final debts are paid (if possible) and make sure that your remaining assets are properly distributed.  Probate can take several months – anywhere between a year to a year and a half. The length of probate often depends on the complexity of your estate and the assets listed in your will. Probate could also lengthen if your beneficiaries dispute the validation or clarity of your will or had issues with the assets allocated to them. Is there any way to...

After a testator's death, your role as their executor will begin -- and one of your primary jobs is making sure that the probate process is properly opened and completed. While going through the probate procedures, you will often find it necessary to communicate with the testator's heirs. Here are some tips that can help: Inform the heirs that probate on the estate has begun When you take the will to probate, you will notify the beneficiaries and other interested parties. This alerts them that estate administration has begun. Your notice should also inform them they can request a copy of the...

The probate process settles the decedent's affairs. For families and beneficiaries, this means dividing up assets like money, belongings, investments, and other things of value. Some are surprised that it also involves paying off any outstanding bills owed to creditors. While up to $30,000 will be exempt from creditor claims and pass to spouses or children, creditors can open the estate to collect money owed. It can happen even if no one is handling the administration. The priority goes toward paying creditors The estate must pay all outstanding bills. While the personal representative...