Probate Attorney in South Bend, Indiana

Find the right Probate Attorney attorney in South Bend, IN

In South Bend, Indiana, probate is the procedure in which a court validates or voids a will.

During probate, the court in South Bend, Indiana will decide the validity of the will, determine and inventory the decedent's assets, account for the decedent's debts and back taxes, and distribute the decedent's property, among other things.

Wills often name a person as the executor of the estate. If not, the court in South Bend, Indiana will name one. This is most often the adult individual who stands to inherit the most funds or property from the will.

The major duty of the executor is to serve as the living incarnation of the estate. Their job is to start probate proceedings, and see them to completion. If an executor has to be appointed by the court, it will usually be the person who stands to inherit the most from the will, as he or she has an incentive to make every effort to avoid delay.

Duties of the Executor in South Bend, Indiana

There are quite a few things that an executor is accountable for. At the outset, they are obligated to file the probate action with the appropriate court. No progress, let alone any final disposition of the estate, can be made until this happens.

The executor also has to provide those with a direct interest in the will notice that the decedent has deceased, by filing an official death certificate.

There may be numerous people who are entitled to take under a testator's will, with which the testator may have fallout out of touch years ago. This can make them difficult to find, but they need to be found, nonetheless. To that end, the executor is required to make a list of everyone who might be able to inherit, whether they're named in the will, or closely related to the testator. Furthermore, they have to make known all of the decedent's major assets and debts.

Because the executor serves as the living personification of the decedent's estate, they are solely accountable for proving the validity of the will. This is a lot of work, but because executors are usually chosen based on how much they stand to inherit from a will once its validity is confirmed, they have a good incentive to see the process to finalization.

How Can A South Bend, Indiana Lawyer Help?

Because this can be (though isn't always) a fairly perplexing process, it's a good idea to get a reputable probate lawyer in South Bend, Indiana, especially if you find yourself being the executor of an estate, and aren't sure how to proceed.

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

Life in South Bend

South Bend, Indiana is the county seat of St. Joseph County. It has a population of about 101,000 residents and known for being the cultural and economic hub for the "Michiana" region. South Bend's economy consists largely of health care, education, and small business. Many South Bend residents work at the nearby University of Notre Dame.

In addition, South Bend, Indiana is home to many large corporations. These include Honeywell, Crowe Horwath, and AM General. Schurz Communications and Martin's Supermarkets are headquartered in South Bend. Part of South Bend's economic success can be attributed to the city's efforts at improving its telecommunications infrastructure.

The culture of South Bend, Indiana is an unique blend of traditional cultures mixed with modern-day celebrations. Currently, Fat Tuesday and Dyngus Day are still celebrated annually. In particular, the city was infused with many Polish traditions during its early days in the 19th century. The city also hosts a number of large events including the World Pulse Festival and the South Bend Reggae Festival. Popular tourist attractions in South Bend Indiana include the South Bend Museum of Art and the Center for History.

South Bend lawyers offer legal assistance and services in a broad range of fields. Lawyers in South Bend, Indiana often represent their clients at the branch of St. Joseph County Courthouse that operates in the city. A South Bend attorney can represent you if you have questions or issues regarding the city's laws and ordinances.

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