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Best Probate Lawyers in Carmel

2024

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Providers

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Website
1905 S New Market St Suite 169, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Katie Charleston Law, P.C., is a firm serving Carmel and surrounding communities. It assists individuals in handling the wills and trusts involved in estate planning to eliminate conflict among their family members, protect their assets, and navigate through asset protection and legacies. An initial meeting with the legal team includes gathering the documentation needed for asset and legacy inventory, whether businesses, collections, or minor children are involved. The firm's practitioner, Katie Charleston, utilizes her extensive experience with litigation and appeals in representing clients through lawsuits.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.5
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
10293 N Meridian St Suite 150, Carmel, IN 46290
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Severns & Howard is a Carmel-based law firm that primarily practices elder law, estate planning, and probate. Its attorneys guide individuals and senior citizens through the estate planning process, helping them draft documents like wills for estate administration purposes and assisting them in acquiring Medicaid for long-term care purposes. They also help executors and beneficiaries administer trusts and estates, from initial court filing to settling the estate's outstanding debts. Lead attorney Scott Severns is a founding member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Scott Severns - Founding Attorney45 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (18)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
301 East Carmel Drive Suite C300, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Terry & Gookins, LLC Attorneys at Law offers legal assistance with estate planning to individuals and families in Carmel. Its legal team guides them in various aspects of probate procedures, including asset inventory, creditor satisfaction, verification of wills' validity, and asset distributions. John S. Terry, one of the law firm's attorneys, has 20 years of experience in the legal field. He was a contributing author of "Inside the Minds™ – Best Practices for Structuring Trusts and Estates" for a Thompson Reuters publication.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
John Terry - Member26 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (69)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (12)

Website
3750 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm LLC is a legal practice serving clients throughout the Carmel metro area. Founding attorney Jennifer Norton is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, and she helps clients prepare last wills and testaments, living wills, and powers of attorney agreements for both healthcare and finances. Ms. Norton and her team assist personal representatives and estate administrators with probate litigation matters, and they handle elder law cases.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jennifer Norton - Principal15 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (9)
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
209 E 175th Street, Suite A, Westfield, IN 46074
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Webster & Garino LLC Attorneys at Law provides services to clients in the Carmel metro. It offers probate services, including administering various assets such as death benefits, life insurance proceeds, properties, tax refunds, and unpaid wages. It also assists in challenging wills and trusts' validity. William J. Webster, a founding partner at the firm, has been practicing law for over 10 years. He was recognized as one of the Top 100 by The National Trial Lawyers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.8 / 5 (136)
Facebook
4.1 / 5 (23)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
140 N. Rangeline Rd, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Applegate & Dillman Elder Law serves residents in Carmel and the surrounding areas. Its attorneys represent clients in probate litigation and trust administration. The firm also has a mediation center where its registered mediators collaborate with clients to resolve issues, ranging from will contests to medical treatment decisions. Managing attorney Lisa Dillman has been practicing law for over 20 years. She is a member of the Elder Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Lawyers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Lisa Dillman - Managing Attorney29 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
5.0 / 5 (11)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
7376 Business Center Drive, Suite B,, Avon, IN 46123
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Harrell Law helps the people of Carmel find solutions to their estate and property problems. The law firm guides personal representatives, administrators, and executors in handling the probate process. Jamie Harrell and her team help individuals become estate administrators by filing petitions in probate court. They also assist family members during probate by gathering assets, paying claims, and closing cases in court. Harrell gives back to the community through the Hendricks County Pro Bono Program.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jamie Harrell - Principal13 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
6437 Rucker Rd., Suite E, Indianapolis, IN 46220
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Rogers Law Firm helps clients in Carmen resolve their probate administration matters. It assists them in navigating through the complex process. Aside from probate, it also handles estate planning and guardianship issues. The firm's owner, Tamara L. Rogers, pursued her practice on her personal experience as a social worker. Rogers helps families through difficult family situations or gives them estate planning assistance. Additionally, she is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tamara Rogers - Principal/Owner20 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (7)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
115 N. Girls School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

For over 30 years, the Law Office of Claire E. Lewis has been assisting Carmel clients dealing with their deceased family members' estate matters. The firm provides probate and estate administration services, which entail gathering assets, settling debts and taxes, reporting requirements, and distributing the assets to heirs. Claire Lewis, the owner, is a founding member and first chairperson of the Indiana State Bar Association’s Elder Law section. From 2005 to the present, she has been named Super Attorney in Elder Law by the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
11614 Maple St, Fishers, IN 46038
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Jeanette C. Kassebaum, Attorney, has been offering counsel and representation throughout the Carmel metro for over two decades. She helps clients with probate administration matters. Kassebaum assists clients in various transactions, including the appraisal of properties, identification of assets and liabilities, and settlement of outstanding debts and taxes left by the decedent. She meets with clients in person and answers calls and emails right away because she wants to go above and beyond what her clients expect.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
255 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

E. Davis Coots of Coots, Henke & Wheeler is a probate attorney in Carmel who has served clients since 1978. Attorney Coots and the firm's estate law team handle both estate administration and probate litigation matters, and they assist in areas that include preparing all required court filings, creating estate accountings, preparation of estate tax returns, and facilitating the final distribution of assets. Additionally, the legal team represents parties in probate litigation when disputes such as claims against estates and contested wills arise.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
E. Daniel Coots - Founding Member25 yrs
E. davis Coots - Founding Member55 yrs
Jeffrey Zipes - Attorney34 yrs
James Wheeler - Attorney53 yrs
James Crum - Attorney35 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (11)
Google
4.3 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.3
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
5540 Pebble Village Ln #300, Noblesville, IN 46062
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Nickloy, Albright & Gordon Attorneys at Law, LLP, represents clients in Carmel in various legal matters. It offers probate administration assistance to families and individuals who have just lost a loved one. Its lawyers help family members understand and carry out the decedent's will if there is one. They help with the valuation of assets, the payment of remaining debts and taxes, the identification of the beneficiaries, and the distribution of assets and properties. The firm has been operating for over a decade.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
111 North Rangeline Road, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Trusts
  • Real Estate

Why choose this provider?

Donahoe Irvin PC is a firm that offers legal counseling in probate matters to the locals of Carmel and other surrounding areas. It has guided family members through will contests, trust interpretation and reformation, power of attorney accounting matters, filing and defense of claims for services to the deceased, and estate administration, including removing an executor. Peter Donahoe concentrates primarily on this area of practice and has provided legal service for over 30 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Peter Donahoe - Shareholder40 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
9993 Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN 46038
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Cremer & Cremer is a law group that utilizes an aggressive approach to helping Carmel individuals and families who have estate concerns. It assists clients in protecting their inheritance, financial interests, and legal rights through estate planning, succession planning, and estate and trust administration. The firm also handles wills and trusts matters and tax litigation. John A. Cremer, the lead attorney, is a co-editor of Henry’s Indiana Probate Law and Practice and an affiliate of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.2 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
10412 Allisonville Road, Suite 200A, Fishers, IN 46038
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Elizabeth A. Homes LLC represents Carmel clients, particularly those with special needs and the elderly. Homes drafts necessary legal documents, such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and helps people navigate the probate system. She also creates special needs estate plans to allow her clients to provide for their children with special needs while still maintaining their eligibility for government assistance. The firm has partnerships with the Center for At-Risk Elders and the Joseph Maley Foundation.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (8)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
11550 N. Meridian St., Carmel, IN 46032
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate
  • Estate Administration

Why choose this provider?

Rebecca W. Geyer & Associates, PC, is a law firm that has been serving the Carmel community since 1999. It assists executors in estate administration and probate processes after the passing of a loved one. The process involves gathering the property of the decedent, distributing the assets, and settling the remaining debts. The firm also helps same-sex couples in dealing with domestic issues particularly when children are involved. Its founder, Rebecca Geyer, conducts seminars about estate planning and elder law with the National Business Institute.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.6 / 5 (24)
Facebook
3.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
12805 E. New Market Street, Suite 200, Carmel, IN 46032
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Koehler Law LLC is a law firm that serves the residents of Carmel. The firm aids in settling debts and distributing assets of decedents. It counsels parties involved in estate planning regarding legal matters. In addition, the firm helps resolve issues concerning business succession plans, business formation, tax planning, and trust administration. It has been offering legal services for two decades, focusing on protecting individual, business, and family assets. Pamela K. Koehler, the firm's sole attorney, provides pro bono services through the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
8510 Evergreen Avenue Ste. 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Curlin & Clay Law is an Indianapolis-based firm that extends its services to clients in Carmel. It provides personalized representation in various aspects of probate law to protect families' and individuals' interests. The practice also caters to couples who need legal solutions for divorce, guardianship, and child support disputes. In addition, it advocates for the rights of employees dealing with sexual harassment and age and sexual orientation discrimination. One of the partners, Robin Clay, serves discriminated individuals with HIV and AIDS.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.3
Google
4.3 / 5 (39)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Carmel, Indiana?

    The Carmel Police Department can be reached at 317-571-2500 for non-emergency concerns.

  • Do all estates need to be probated in Carmel?

    Not all estates need to be probated in Carmel. If the gross value of the decedent’s estate is no more than $50,000, the formal probate process can be bypassed. You can use the Small Estate Affidavit to collect the decedent’s assets and administer the estate. The Small Estate Affidavit can be obtained 45 days after the decedent’s passing.

  • Who will serve as personal representative for an estate in Carmel if the decedent left no will?

    In the absence of a will, competent adults, usually family members, can apply and be appointed by the court to serve as personal representatives. If there are no volunteers for the role, the court can appoint a third party, such as a probate attorney in Carmel, to serve as the estate’s personal representative.

  • Do you have to pay inheritance tax for assets acquired from probate in Carmel?

    On behalf of the inheritors, the executor or the personal representative must file Form IH-6 (Inheritance Tax Return Form) within one year of the decedent’s death. If the decedent was residing in Carmel at the time of death, the tax return should be submitted to the probate court in Hamilton County. Inheritance taxes should also be settled within 18 months of the death.

  • Should all of the decedent’s assets be included in the estate for probate in Carmel?

    The probate process is only for assets that have no designated beneficiaries and/or are solely owned by the decedent. Jointly owned assets, like the family house titled under the decedents and their spouse’s names and assets with beneficiaries like insurance policies, are considered “non-probate.” Assets under a trust are also exempted from probate. A local probate lawyer in Carmel can help you sort through your loved one’s probate and non-probate assets.

  • Until when can the probated estate receive claims from creditors in Carmel?

    According to Local Probate Rules Section 709.10, creditors have three months and 15 days from the time the probate notice wash published to make their claims for debt payment. The estate's personal representative is responsible for identifying the decedent’s possible creditors and validating the claims they make. The maximum deadline for creditor claims in Carmel is nine months from the decedent’s death. Claims entered after this deadline may be barred.

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