Probate
Losing someone you love is hard enough without a stack of court paperwork on top of it. We guide your family through probate with patience—and we handle the filings ourselves, so you can focus on each other. Whether you are based in Owensboro, greater Daviess County, or elsewhere in Kentucky; Sunset Elder Law is here to help you through the probate process.
Common Questions
Probate is the court process for settling a person's affairs after they pass away. It means paying their final bills and passing their property to the right people. If there's a valid will, the court follows it. If there isn't, Kentucky law decides who inherits. Either way, someone has to be put in charge—and that's where we come in.
Most cases take about six months to a year. Kentucky law requires the estate to stay open for at least six months so creditors (people or companies who are owed money) can make claims. The exact time depends on the size of the estate and whether anyone disputes it. We keep things moving and keep you updated.
The executor is the person in charge of the estate. (If there's no will, the court appoints someone called an administrator.) They gather the assets, pay debts and taxes, and hand out what's left. Our advice: don't pay any bills or give anything away until you talk to us—the order matters, and small mistakes can cost the estate money.
Often, yes. Things held in a properly set-up living trust usually pass outside of probate—faster, more private, and with less court involvement. If you're reading this while planning ahead for your own family, that's a smart conversation to have now
QUICK FACTS
MINIMUM ESTATE OPEN PERIOD:
About 6 Months
TYPICAL TIMELINE:
6-12 Months
COURT FILINGS:
Sunset Elder Law handles them for you.
CONSULTATION:
At Sunset Elder Law, your first consultation is always free.
WHAT WE'LL DO TOGETHER
- File the court paperwork and get the executor approved
- Prepare the required lists and legal notices
- Handle creditors and final bills
- See the estate through to the end
FREE GUIDE
A short plain-language PDF you can download and share with your family and loved ones.
You May Also Need
Sunset Elder Law is proud to be affiliated with the following organizations:
