Ted Hutchins Speaks at the
Lourdes Lunch & Learn Program

On July 20, 2004, Denton & Keuler partner Ted Hutchins spoke to a crowd of 100 senior adults on the topic "The Importance of a Will."  Lourdes Foundation in Paducah, Kentucky, hosted the "Lourdes Lunch & Learn"  event and asked Ted to address issues relating to a valid will. 

Ted impressed upon the attendees that proper estate planning is critical in today's complicated society and leaving explicit instructions on the dispensing of an estate alleviates problems for those left to handle an estate upon death.

The Kentucky estate administration process is generally referred to by lawyers and laypersons alike as "probate." The most important objective of probate is to see that the property of a deceased person (the "decedent") is transferred to his or her rightful heirs. However, probate also involves the collection of the decedent's property and the payment of the decedent's debts and taxes.

The rules governing the probate process in Kentucky are found in Chapters 394-396 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. Unlike other states where probate laws can be complex and onerous, Kentucky's probate laws and procedures are fairly simple and straightforward.

Ted discussed the following topics:

• Petition
• Two-Month Inventory
• Final Statement
• Duration of Probate
• Avoiding Probate

Ted will also be speaking at the following Lunch & Learn events:

• August 24, 2004 - Estate Planning Made Easy
• October 12, 2004 - Making Taxes Work for You