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Wills, estates and probate

Planning ahead, or settling a loved one's affairs?

Wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, probate administration and estate disputes, handled with the care a family matter deserves. Justin grew up in his father's wills and probate practice in Louisville's south end, and Gooch Law carries it forward.

Call (502) 475-0556Free consultation
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Wills and estate plansFlat fees, quoted before work begins
Probate administrationJefferson District Court and across Kentucky
A family practiceContinuing his father's south end practice
Estate disputesWill contests and fiduciary claims

What we handle

Estate services at Gooch Law.

Most families need less than they fear and more than they have. Justin tells you which.

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Wills

A properly executed Kentucky will that names your executor, your children's guardian and who receives what, with a self-proving affidavit so it holds up without a search for witnesses.

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Estate planning

Durable powers of attorney, healthcare surrogate designations, living wills and, when they fit, trusts. The documents that let the people you trust act when you cannot.

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Probate

Opening the estate, notifying creditors, inventorying and distributing assets, and closing the estate with the court. Justin handles the process so the family can grieve.

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Estate disputes

Will contests, undue influence, capacity challenges and claims against executors and trustees who are not doing their job. Time limits are short.

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Portrait of attorney Justin Gooch seated on a sofaSouth endWhere the practice began

A practice passed down

His father did this work in the south end for decades. Justin does it now.

Justin Gooch grew up around wills and probate. His father operated a private practice focused on that work in Louisville's south end, and Justin honors that legacy by maintaining and integrating the practice into Gooch Law. It shows in how he handles it: patiently, in plain English, with an eye on the family relationships that outlast the paperwork.

  • Plain-English explanations of what each document does
  • Flat fees for wills and estate plans, quoted first
  • Probate filings and deadlines tracked by the attorney, not the family
  • Disputes handled with tact, and firmly when tact is not enough
Call (502) 475-0556Schedule a planning conversation

When to call

Life events that call for a plan, or a review of one.

Marriage or a new child

A will names a guardian. Nothing else does. Marriage and children also change who inherits under Kentucky law if there is no will.

Buying a home or a business

Real estate and business interests are the assets most likely to end up in probate without a plan, and the ones families fight over.

A parent's illness or passing

Powers of attorney and healthcare directives have to be signed while a person can still sign them. After a death, probate has its own clock.

A plan more than five years old

Beneficiaries change, laws change, families change. A will from a previous marriage or a prior decade often no longer says what you mean.

Estate FAQ

What families ask first.

Do I need a will if I do not have much?

Probably, yes. A will is not only about money. It names who raises your children, who handles your affairs and who receives the things that matter to you. Without one, Kentucky's intestacy statutes make those decisions, and the result is frequently not what the family assumed.

What makes a will valid in Kentucky?

The person making it must be at least 18 and of sound mind, and the will must be in writing and signed, with two witnesses who sign in the testator's presence. A will entirely in the testator's own handwriting can be valid without witnesses. Justin prepares wills that are executed correctly the first time, with a self-proving affidavit so witnesses do not have to be found later.

How long does probate take in Jefferson County?

Kentucky requires an estate to stay open at least six months so creditors can present claims. Straightforward estates usually close within about a year; contested or complex estates take longer.

Can Justin help if my parent lived in another county?

Yes. Probate is opened in the county where the deceased person lived, and Justin handles estates across Kentucky. Property in another state may require a separate proceeding there, which he coordinates.

What does estate work cost?

Wills and estate plans are quoted as a flat fee before any work starts. Probate is typically handled on a flat or hourly basis explained up front, and Kentucky allows reasonable attorney fees to be paid from the estate.

Start the conversation

Tell Justin what your family needs.

Whether it is a first will, a full plan or an estate that needs settling, a short description is enough for Justin to tell you what is involved and what it costs.

  • Flat fees for wills and plans
  • Probate handled start to finish
  • In person, by phone or by video
Call (502) 475-0556
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Please share only the basic information needed to request a consultation, and do not send confidential documents or sensitive case details through this form. Sending a request does not create an attorney-client relationship. Justin will explain the next steps before you share more.

Planning is the kindest thing you can do for your family.

Call Justin, or send a few details. The first conversation is free.

Call (502) 475-0556Free consultation