Amanda Jelks: Estate Planning, Probate Lawyer
Losing a loved one is hard. Going to court, after your loss, doesn't have to add to your sorrow. Let a Probate Attorney guide you through the process.
Our probate attorneys understand first hand what it’s like to grieve the loss of a loved one while having to simultaneously settle their estate.
After your loved one has passed away, you may need to contact a probate lawyer to probate their estate in order to transfer their assets to their heirs or loved ones (whether they had a will or not). A probate lawyer will walk you through this process and be with you in court, so that you can gather your loved one's assets, pay their debts and taxes, and distribute their assets in a simple fashion. As highly skilled estate planning and probate attorneys experienced with wills and the probate process, we won't promise it's easy for our lawyers, but we can promise it will be easier on you - with the help of a probate lawyer.
What does it mean to be the executor, administrator or personal representative?
Is there anything I can do to avoid probating my loved one’s estate?
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process to transfer assets from a deceased person to their heirs or beneficiaries.
Oftentimes, people think that having a will means that they won't have to go through probate court. Unfortunately, that's not true. Even the word "probate" means "to prove a will". Wills in Tennessee mean nothing until a court says they do.
What does it mean to be the executor, administrator or personal representative?
Probate Process
Under probate law, executor, administrator, and personal representative all mean the same thing – it's the person that has the authority to take action on behalf of the deceased person's estate. I'll refer to them as "personal representative" on this website, but just know that the words are interchangeable according to the law. A personal representative's role will vary regarding the assets in the estate. Many personal representatives will be given the authority by the court/ law to liquidate a person's estate, list the house for sale, handle any final taxes, pay creditors and administrative expenses, and then distribute whatever funds remain in the estate's bank account to the beneficiaries or heirs.
How Long does this process take?
It depends on the type of administration you are doing. Under Tennessee law, if there are assets valued at $50,000 or higher, or if there is real property regardless of the value, the probate process ordinarily takes at least twelve months from the date of death to complete the process in court. If the only thing your loved one left behind is real property or if they left behind assets worth less than $50,000 in value, then you may have the option of doing a less complicated form of probate regarding your particular case.
Personal Context: What about my loved one's estate?
If your loved one leaves behind assets that are either (1) solely in their name or (2) don't have beneficiaries listed on them, you will almost certainly need to probate their estate in court.
How are creditors handled in this process?
In Tennessee, with the exception of the government, unsecured creditors have one year from a person's date of death to collect any money owed to them. If they do not collect their money within that time frame, they will no longer be entitled to payment, according to probate law. If there is a co-signer or guarantor on that debt and that person is still alive, the co-signer or guarantor will continue to be responsible for that debt. During the probate, your probate lawyer will provide direct notice that a probate has been opened to all known creditors. A notice in the local Tennessee newspaper will be published letting everyone else know that the probate is open in hopes that unknown creditors will file their claims. Known creditors that receive direct notice will have four months to file their claim in probate court (instead of one year). All other creditors will have one year from the date of death to file their claims in court. Our probate lawyers routinely dispute creditor claims that are unfounded and have saved our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars that would have otherwise been required to be paid.
Is there anything I can do to avoid probating my loved one's estate?
If your loved one is already deceased, and they meet the qualifications listed above, then the answer is most likely "no". You can, however, plan to take action now to make sure your loved ones don't have to probate your estate. Oftentimes, a probate lawyer will utilize a trust to avoid probate with your own assets during the estate planning process.
What type is your case?
The Three Types in the State of Tennessee:
1. When you are only transferring real property
2. When you are transferring assets valued at less than $50,000 with no real property
3. When you are transferring assets valued at more than $50,000 or estates that have real property plus other assets (regardless of the value of those assets).
The probate process can be daunting and stressful for most people, so let us guide you through.
"Amanda is the BEST attorney you could possibly use. So informative and stays in touch with you when you have questions on probate, estate planning, or any other legal matter. She welcomes you from day 1 and never makes you feel like a bother. She was the best choice I could have made when it came to my father's probate. I will ALWAYS use her for any legal needs I have!"
- Amber T
Jelks Law is here for you
The right estate planning and probate lawyer, experienced with probate and wills, can make all the difference. Our law firm truly believes that this process should not be solely your responsibility. So go ahead, pass it off to Jelks Law here in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Our legal team of probate and estate planning attorneys will handle your case ethically and with proficiency. Don't wait, contact us today. We value every client!