Best Probate Lawyers in Saint Joseph, MO

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Saint Joseph, Missouri?

  You may call the St. Joseph Police Department at 816-271-4702 for non-emergencies.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Saint Joseph, Missouri?

  Police reports can be obtained at the Records Unit in the Law Enforcement Center located at 501 Faraon Street, Saint Joseph, Missouri 64501. Crash reports can be requested online at https://secure.coplogic.com/rar/en/filing/showdisclaimer?dynparam=1685843756937. You may reach the Records Unit at 816-271-4705 for more details on how to get police reports.

• When do estates in Saint Joseph usually undergo probate?

  Estates in Saint Joseph that have a value of more than $40,000 will be administered in the probate court. Otherwise, they will undergo simplified procedures rather than the full probate process. Those that do not have wills or have properties that are named under the deceased will also be probated.

• Can establishing a trust help avoid probate in Saint Joseph?

  Having a trust can completely help avoid the tedious probate process or reduce costly expenses in probate. It provides families in Saint Joseph with greater efficiency and flexibility in transferring their wealth. Through trusts, a person can automatically transfer businesses, facilitate equitable distribution of assets, and have more control over giving inheritances.

• How do you get in touch with the circuit court clerk for a probate case in Saint Joseph?

  Call the Buchanan County Circuit Clerk's Office at 816-271-1418 or the probate auditor at 816-271-1449. You can visit the probate section in Room 333 411 of the circuit court located at Jules Street, Saint Joseph, MO 64501. The office can help fileling a probate case issueuing certified copies of judgments.

• What can happen if a will in Saint Joseph is not submitted to the court?

  If a will is not submitted to the probate court in Saint Joseph, it essentially "expires" and becomes invalid. The deadline needed to submit the will is within one year after death. When the deceased person owns assets that are still in their name, these assets cannot be transferred without the will unless a probate case is opened.

• How do you propose the Public Administrator in Saint Joseph to be a guardian or conservator?

  You can fill out the intake form found on the Buchanan County website. Call the Public Administrator at 816-271-1442 or send an email to abertelsen@buchmo.org for more details. The administrator's office is Room 202 of the Buchanan County Courthouse at 411 Jules Street, Saint Joseph, MO 64501. You need to provide documents such as a birth certificate, insurance card, photo ID, and Social Security card. Take note that the court gives preference over family members or close friends as guardians.

• What does a probate attorney do?

  Probate attorneys are licensed professionals who represent executors and heirs after someone has died. They provide personalized legal advice, assist with tax planning, settle debts, and facilitate the distribution of assets. Probate attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by probate courts, although some litigators focus on handling disputes and lawsuits related to contested estates.

• What is probate court?

  Probate court works with the family or beneficiaries of a deceased person to validate their last will and testament. The courts review the individual's will to identify and calculate assets, pay off remaining debts, and distribute the remaining property to beneficiaries per the deceased person's requests. Depending on state laws, property valued under a certain amount may not require probate.

• How long do you have to file probate after death?

  The amount of time loved ones have to file a will after a person dies varies from state to state. While California courts require probate to be filed within one year, New York has no deadline. That being said, it's advisable to file probate as quickly as possible once a person has died, as the process itself can take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year.

• Does life insurance go through probate?

  Life insurance doesn't need to go through the probate courts if the deceased individual has named a beneficiary on their policy. However, life insurance policies without beneficiaries, or with beneficiaries who are either deceased themselves or cannot be contacted, go directly to the deceased individual's estate. When this happens, life insurance proceeds must go through probate court to determine how funds should be allocated.

• Do household items go through probate?

  While the exact rules do vary from state to state, most household items don't require probate and are automatically left to immediate families unless otherwise stated in the deceased person's will. When it comes to property, only items above a certain value or held in title are required to go through probate in most states.

• Do bank accounts with beneficiaries have to go through probate?

  In the event a beneficiary has been named, bank accounts are not required to go through probate and will be paid directly to the person designated by the deceased individual. However, should that individual be deceased themselves or if contact cannot be made after a certain period of time, funds will be allocated to the estate and put through the probate process.

• What happens if no probate is filed?

  Depending on the circumstances, probate may not be required in all cases. If a person passes on and their remaining property is jointly owned, it automatically transfers to the other owner. However, if a property is not jointly owned and no probate has been filed, the executor of the will won't be able to transfer titles or cash assets to beneficiaries. Be aware that the specific laws surrounding probate requirements vary from state to state.

• What is probate real estate?

  Probate real estate is the process that happens when a realtor steps in to handle the sale or transfer of a deceased person's owned home to another individual. In some cases, the house is sold as a means of liquidating assets, and proceeds from the sale are used to pay debts or are distributed to beneficiaries.

• Can I probate a will or estate without an attorney?

  It is possible to probate a will and close an estate without hiring an attorney. However, it requires multiple steps and an understanding of the law. The first step is to petition the court to appoint a representative for the estate. Next, the executor must notify all heirs and creditors before switching ownership from the decedent to the estate. Once all debts, taxes, and final expenses have been paid, funds can be transferred to heirs. To close an estate, the executor must submit a report showing the court that all obligations and final wishes have been satisfied. While a will and estate may seem straightforward, things can get complicated quickly if multiple heirs are involved, or if disputes or disagreements arise over distribution. A probate lawyer can help navigate these disputes effectively, and take pressure off the executor when beneficiaries aren’t getting along.

• How many years can an estate remain in probate?

  If the will or proposed distribution of property is contested, an estate may remain in probate for several years. The timeline depends on how long relatives have to initiate probate, how long creditors have to come forward, and how busy the courts are. In some states, such as Florida, relatives have just 10 days to initiate probate, and the entire process takes approximately six months. In other areas, such as Massachusetts, the process can last one to two years, although the majority of probate activities occur in the first nine months. The value of the estate also affects the duration of the case. For example, California and Texas have simplified procedures for smaller estates, such as those valued at $150,000 or less.

• When is a will's probate an automatic process?

  Probate is the legal process of validating a last will and testament to ensure that the decedent's wishes are followed. A probate judge may automatically clear wills if they're accompanied by an affidavit from the decedent, a notary, and a witness. Some assets, including financial accounts with designated beneficiaries, and funds held by certain types of trusts don't have to go through probate.

• What does it mean when property is under probate?

  Real estate that's under probate is typically liquidated through the court system, which is most common when someone dies without a will. Home buyers who are interested in this type of property must follow special rules regarding deposits, which are sometimes nonrefundable, and buyer's premiums. Additionally, the court must approve the purchase price.