The Executor's Job
An executor has a big responsibility—the kind that comes with managing someone else’s money. That’s because the executor is in charge of a deceased person’s assets, and must gather and safeguard them. The executor must also see that debts and taxes are paid, and then transfer the remaining assets to the people or organizations who inherit them.
If you’re an executor (also called a personal representative in many states), you must be honest, conscientious, and fair to creditors and beneficiaries. You don’t have to be a financial genius, and you don’t need a law degree. Just realize that the job will involve a lot of responsibility and a lot of detail—and require a lot of patience.
The executor of an estate has an important job—protecting a deceased person's property, winding up their financial affairs, and distributing inheritances.
Are you qualified to be an executor and do you want to do the job?
Judges turn to state law when they must choose someone to wrap up an estate.
If you're the executor of an estate, here's what you'll need to do.
If you're the executor of an estate, here's what you need to do.
Probate is the court-supervised process of gathering a deceased person's assets and distributing them to creditors and inheritors.
When a loved one dies, the executor needs to take charge of the deceased person’s will.
State laws control who inherits property if no will exists. Learn the general guidelines.
If you're the executor reading the will, here's what to expect.
If you’re trying to make sense of a will or trust, don’t feel bad if you don’t know what a lot of the words mean.
Not every executor needs the help of an attorney. Ask the right questions to determine whether or not you can do it alone.
Look for more than just legal expertise.
If you're the executor of an estate, here are some tips for a successful working relationship with a probate lawyer.
Many factors affect how much you’ll pay a probate lawyer.
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