Estate Administration in Topeka, Kansas

Find the right Estate Administration attorney in Topeka, KS

"Estate administration" refers to the process which must be followed when the estate of a person who has recently died is being distributed, either according to his or her wishes as laid out in a will, or the laws governing the distribution of the assets of a person who dies without a will.

If the decedent had the foresight to draft and execute a will in Topeka, Kansas, the estate is normally administered in a way that follows the instructions the will lays out, as closely as possible.

Frequently, the will appoints an executor whose job it is to oversee the administration of the will.

The person named as executor of an estate typically has some work ahead of them. To ensure that they truly follow through on their obligations, most people name as executor the person who will get the most money, or other benefit, if the will is given effect as written. Because an estate can't be distributed until the administration process is complete, the executor has an incentive to see it through.

What if The Will Does Not Name an Executor?

If a Topeka, Kansas will does not appoint anyone to serve as executor, or there is no will, the court has to choose someone to fill that role.

Typically, the person chosen to be executor is the one who would benefit most under the will, or under Kansas's intestacy laws. "Intestacy" refers to a situation in which a person dies without a will, or "dies intestate." Every state has laws to address this situation, and there isn't a lot of variation from state to state. Typically, the decedent's property will go to his or her closest relative, and if absolutely no living relatives can be found, it will go to the state.

If no executor is named in the will, anyone with a stake in the will can apply to the court in Topeka, Kansas to be the executor of the estate, if they wish.

Once an executor is appointed (whether by being named in the will, or on the application of another person), they "step into the shoes" of the estate, and are expected to protect its interests to the fullest extent possible. They also are required to accurately inventory the estate's debts and assets, as well as notify potential beneficiaries.

Can a Topeka, Kansas Estate Administration Attorney Help?

If you are the executor of an estate, and don't know how to handle some of the legal and financial difficulties that may arise, an efficient Topeka, Kansas lawyer can make this process a great deal easier.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Topeka

Topeka is the capital of Kansas, located along the Kansas River in Shawnee County. According to a 2010 census, the population is around 127,473 people. Three United States Navy ships have been named after Topeka, with the name USS Topeka.

What the city is most famous for is the landmark United States Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. This case overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and declared that segregation based on race in public schools was unconstitutional.

The city itself is the largest employer, with around 8,400 people working for the city government. The school districts and health care system also employ a significant number of the residents. Many "big name" manufacturers are located in Topeka, such as Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Payless Shoe Source, and Frito-Lay.

Some popular attractions include the Kansas Museum of History, Combat Air Museum, the Kansas State Capitol, the Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site, Westboro Neighborhood, and Topeka Zoo.

Kansas is filled with many attorneys practicing is decent sized law firms, catering to inquiries in all practice areas. Overall, Topeka is a great, well-rounded place with just a little bit of everything to enjoy.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Regel B.
Regel B.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Caldwell, LA

Brad M.
Brad M.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Sussex, NJ

David L.
David L.

Wills, Trusts and Estates

Ashland, OH