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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Hammond

Our Recommended Top 10

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Hammond Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

26

Reviewed

19

Curated

10

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
130 North Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Austgen Kuiper Jasaitis PC is a law firm serving clients in the Hammond area. Its attorneys have over 150 years' combined legal experience helping legal representatives with wills and probate administration matters, such as filing documents with the court, contacting creditors, notifying beneficiaries, preparing required documents, counseling distribution and trust/estate administration. Other practice areas include real estate, business, corporate, environmental, sports, and elder law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Austgen - Managing Partner43 yrs

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
830 East Sidewalk Road, Chesterton, IN 46304
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices Of Michael T. Sawyier assists executors and administrators in Hammond with probate litigation and estate administration. It also prepares and reviews wills, testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, codicils, and transfer on death instruments. It also provides counsel on guardianship and charitable gift planning. Principal attorney Michael Sawyier has over 40 years of experience in estate and business planning, asset protection, and real estate law. He is also licensed to practice law in Illinois and Michigan. The office has a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Sawyier - Principal41 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.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 5 (8)

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
1806 Robinhood Boulevard, Schererville, IN 46375
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

O’Drobinak & Nowaczyk, P.C. is an attorneyship that offers probate law services in the Hammond metro. The firm's probate attorneys take care of the necessary steps in gathering and distributing the assets of a client's deceased family member under the supervision of probate court. The firm is well-versed in handling disputes involving inheritance as well as tax and debt settlements. Founder John M. O’Drobinak has been practicing law since 1960 and is a Charter Member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Amy Nowaczyk - Partner12 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.
4.3
Google
4.4 / 5 (7)
Facebook
4.3 / 5 (6)

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.
3.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
900 Parker Pl, Unit A, Schererville, IN 46375
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Gary P. Bonk handles probate matters in Hammond and its surrounding communities. It helps clients protect their finances and their families in case of their demise by drafting documents like last wills and testaments, durable power of attorneys, and revocable living trusts. Its other areas of practice include asset protection, adult guardianship, business succession, and elder law. The attorneys from the firm have more than 25 years of collective legal experience.

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
4.8 / 5 (64)
Yelp
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.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1805 E. Lincolnway Ste 6, Valparaiso, IN 46383
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Michael B. Miller, Attorney at Law, is a locally owned and operated practice that serves clients in Hammond and its surrounding metros. It represents individual beneficiaries in various matters involving probate litigation, including will and trust contests, estate or trust share disputes, and guardianship issues. The firm also offers legal counsel to trustees and personal representatives on trust and estate administration. Sole practitioner MichaelMiller has been providing legal solutions for more than 25 years.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Miller - Principal30 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.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 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
8339 Wicker Ave, Saint John, IN 46373
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Brian E. Less serves clients in Hammond and the neighboring communities. It assists clients in processing and completing the transfer of their assets and wealth to lawful beneficiaries. The firm also provides Medicaid crisis and pre-need planning services to help clients in preserving their estate assets for their heirs. It has been serving single and married couples, as well as the elderly for more than 18 years. Less uses his background in business in delivering estate planning services to his clients.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Brian Less - Owner/Principal24 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
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (27)
Google
5.0 / 5 (15)

Website
200 E 90th Drive Weston Court, Merrillville, IN 46410
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Woodward Law Offices LLP is a general legal firm representing clients in wills, trusts, estates, and probate matters. The probate lawyers near Hammond assist administrators and executors by advising them on decisions and guiding them through the proceedings, such as filing the will, completing the final tax return, managing the estate's finances, and distributing any remaining assets. Woodward Law Offices LLP also handles family, criminal, construction, real estate, employment, and business law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
David Woodward - Partner34 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

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
104 West Clark Street, Crown Point, IN 46307
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Kent A. Jeffirs Attorney at Law PC serves clients in the Hammond area. It assists personal representatives and family members throughout the whole probate process, from handling the decedent's property to filing taxes and complying with instructions from the probate court. The firm also prepares estate planning documents such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. Kent A. Jeffirs, the company's primary attorney, is a certified estate planning and administration specialist and served as a president of the Lake County Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kent Jeffirs - Principal32 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.
4.5
Google
4.5 / 5 (8)

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
8339 Wicker Avenue, St. John, IN 46373
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Spagnolo & Hoeksema, LLC, is a multi-practice law firm serving Hammond and the surrounding areas. Included in its practice areas are probate and estate litigation. The law office handles will contests and cases involving blended families, representing beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and heirs. Estate planning, a means to avoid probate and trust administration, is also offered. Spagnolo & Hoeksema's other practice areas include business litigation and commercial law. It also has an office in Illinois, and its attorneys have over nine decades of collective experience.

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 (2)
Yelp
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

Website
1000 Eagle Ridge Drive, Suite F, Schererville, IN 46375
  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

Why choose this provider?

Politakis Law helps individuals and families preserve assets and plan for financial security throughout Northwest Indiana, including Hammond and surrounding areas. Its services include assistance in business planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law. It provides comprehensive legal representation with an ethical and creative approach to protecting the clients' past and securing their future. The firm also offers complex plans for customers with children with special needs, financial management issues, or second spouse situations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Angelo Politakis - Principal8 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
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (11)
Google
5.0 / 5 (10)
Facebook
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 Hammond, Indiana?

    For non-emergencies, dial (219) 853-6300 or (219) 853-6490 to reach the Hammond Police Department. You can also download the Hammond 311 Mobile App to report non-emergency concerns online.

  • Do all of the decedent’s assets have to go through probate in Hammond?

    The Hammond probate process is only for assets that are solely owned by the decedent and assets that have no designated beneficiaries. Assets like trust funds, retirement accounts, and assets under living trusts or joint tenancy arrangements are exempted from probate. These assets already have named beneficiaries and can be transferred without the need for probate.

  • How are the decedent’s assets distributed under probate in Hammond?

    If the decedent left a will, assets will be distributed according to their wishes on the document. If there is no will, the assets will be distributed to legal heirs following Indiana's inheritance laws. Note that the will may be superseded by legal restrictions, such as the spouse having an “elective share.” If demanded, the spouse can claim inheritance even if they are not named in the will. A Hammond probate lawyer can guide you through these complexities.

  • Where do you file the decedent’s will for probate in Hammond?

    According to Indiana Code Section 29-1-7-1, the will must be submitted to the probate court in the county where the decedent resided at the time of death. For decedents who resided in Lake County where Hammond is, the probate court is located at 2293 N. Main Street, Courtroom B203, Crown Point, IN 46307.

  • Which estates are eligible to be administered via the Small Estate Affidavit in Hammond?

    Small estates in Hammond can be transferred without undergoing probate through an Affidavit for Transfer of Assets Without Administration, also known as Small Estates Affidavit. According to Indiana Code Section 29-1-8-1, an estate is eligible for Small Estates Affidavit if its total value is no more than $50,000 if the decedent passed before July 1, 2022, and no more than $100,000 if the decedent passed after June 30, 2022. You can start this process 45 days after the decedent's death.

  • Do you have to pay inheritance tax on assets you received from a probated estate in Hammond?

    Indiana previously required inheritance tax payment, but the law was repealed in May 2013. In effect, inheritors of Hammond estates left by decedents who passed after December 31, 2012 no longer have to pay for inheritance taxes. Note that estate taxes still have to be paid which will be settled by the estate's personal representative.

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