Estate Planning and Administration
Estate Planning
At Hall Koehler P.C., we help clients plan for the unexpected. We will advise you on taking measures to protect your assets and provide for the ones you love. Our mission is to offer solid legal advice and services that are adaptable to any situation.
We Protect What is Most Important To You
Our team of Indianapolis estate planning attorneys has the knowledge and experience necessary to assure clients that their affairs will be handled accordingly after death. Richard Hall has more than 20 years of experience and was named a Super Lawyer®* in estate planning and estate administration. Pam Koehler has been preparing, reviewing and probating wills and trusts for over a decade. Shawn Scott has assisted clients in administering routine and complex probate and trust matters for several years and was named a Rising Star®* in estate planning and estate administration. Our lawyers have significant experience constructing everything from simple wills to sophisticated estate plans for individuals of high net worth.
At Hall Koehler P.C., we advise, counsel, and represent clients on:
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Do I need a will or a trust?
Creating a will and/or trust is a measure taken to ensure that your assets are preserved and your loved ones are provided for in the event of unexpected death. Both a will and a trust can clearly define your intentions for asset and property distribution. Without a will, Indiana state laws will decide how, when and to whom your estate is distributed.
We will help you decide if a will and/or a trust is right for you. We will structure your estate plan to minimize or eliminate federal estate taxes and Indiana inheritance taxes. Our attorneys will advise you on establishing trusts that transfer funds to a loved one or charity. In short, we take every step necessary to safeguard your family and assets.
Hall Koehler P.C. is committed to finding creative estate planning solutions that are as unique as the families and individuals we serve. Creating an estate plan that realizes your goals is merely the first step. Our lawyers establish long lasting relationships with clients, continuing to advise and counsel them on any will or trust issue that may arise.
To learn more about our extensive estate planning practice, contact Hall Koehler P.C . in Indianapolis, Indiana. For your convenience, evening and weekend appointments are available by request.
* by Super Lawyer Magazine
Estate & Trust Administration
Indiana Estate Administration Attorneys
When a loved one dies, those left behind are charged with the task of discharging debts and administering the decedent’s estate. If you have been placed in such a position, you may have many questions about how to proceed.
At Hall Koehler P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana, an estate administration attorney with significant knowledge and experience will guide you through the process of distributing property and assets to beneficiaries named in a decedent’s will. Richard Hall, Pam Koehler and Shawn Scott have nearly 50 years of combined experience in estate and trust administration. Our firm is committed to providing effective legal services that produce results quickly.
Our firm understands that individuals may feel overwhelmed by estate and trust administration. Our legal team stands behind clients at every stage of the process. We review existing wills and trusts and take all steps necessary to prepare for the transfer of property to named beneficiaries. We assist clients in locating and cataloging assets.
In short, we do everything within our power to ensure a smooth process. Contact us for more information.
Beneficiary Disputes
When a beneficiary questions his or her bequest in a will, the administration process may be delayed by litigation. Should a will contest or beneficiary dispute require litigation, our firm in conjunction with Padgett Law is well-prepared to assert your interests.
Attorneys’ Fees
Many estate administration lawyers claim a percentage of the estate as their fee. At Hall Koehler P.C., we only charge clients for the work that we do. To learn more about our estate and trust administration services, contact us.
Probate Administration
We advise estate administrators, personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries on transferring titles and deeds to gain control of legal ownership of property. We will thoroughly prepare you for the probate proceedings in an effort to expedite the process.
Probate is the process of establishing the validity of a will and appointing a personal representative. Depending on the value of the assets involved, a probate hearing may be required to appoint the personal representative. At Hall Koehler P.C. our probate lawyers will employ nearly 50 years of combined experience to guide families through the probate process effectively and efficiently.
Richard Hall, Pam Koehler and Shawn Scott have made their careers out of planning estates and assisting in estate and trust administration. Each possesses extensive knowledge of inheritance rules and complex tax laws, making Hall Koehler P.C. the logical choice for clients facing probate proceedings.
The probate court will be interested in any assets and debts incurred by the decedent. Tax documents, credit card balances, mortgages—any and all records pertaining to the estate need to be reviewed and taken into account. At Hall Koehler P.C., clients are counseled on gathering assets and preparing an inventory.
Avoiding Probate
How can probate be avoided? Through comprehensive and careful planning. We will thoroughly evaluate your situation and advise on ways to create an estate plan that can reduce the portion of the estate that requires probating. Our lawyers will advise you on options such as:
- Creating a living trust
- Entering into a joint tenancy
- Making use of beneficiary designations
- Lifetime gift arrangements
- Multiple-party accounts
- Joint accounts
- Pay-on-death and transfer-on-death accounts
Would you like to learn more about avoiding probate? Contact us today.
No Will
If the decedent passed without a will, probate is almost always necessary and can be quite complicated. Without a will, any relative, friend, or creditor can petition the court to serve as the executor of the decedent’s estate. In addition, the absence of a will allows the State to determine property and asset distribution during the probate process. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you through the probate process, even if there is no will.
Hall Koehler P.C.
3755 E. 82nd Street, Suite 110
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-2423
Telephone: 317-580-4959
Fax: 317-580-4960
Contact Hall Koehler P.C.
Padgett Law
3755 E. 82nd Street, Suite 110
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-2423
Telephone: 317-218-0316
Fax: 317-580-4960
Contact Padgett Law
