A will contest can result in a significant delay in the distribution of a loved one's assets, and can also be expensive. The costs of a will contest are paid out of the estate, which may significantly deplete the available funds. If you are concerned that a will may be subject to a will contest, contact an experienced probate and estate administration attorney today.
Have you been named the executor of a trust or estate? Do you need help in creating a trust or will, in distributing assets following a death, or managing a special needs trust or other trust? Contact an established estate planning and probate law firm. Gorman & Jones, PLC practices estate planning, estate administration and probate law exclusively, and provides helpful, experienced representation. Call 877.237.0983.
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Contact lawyers Andrew P. Gorman or Matthew Mark Jones of the Phoenix-area law firm of Gorman & Jones, PLC for experienced and diligent probate and estate administration legal assistance. We have represented hundreds of individuals and families in Arizona, as well as parties in other states that have legal needs in Arizona. For a free consultation, call 877.237.0983.
At Gorman & Jones, PLC we help individuals and families, as well as guardians, executors and trustees, with all aspects of probate and estate administration law. Contact an experienced attorney at our firm at 877.237.0983.
Role of the Executor
An executor is the person named by the creator of the will (the testator) to carry out the terms and provisions of the will. In addition to locating important documents and notifying Social Security, pension providers, annuity providers and other entities of the death, the executor has numerous other legal responsibilities.
The executor's legal responsibilities include:
- Initiating the probate of the will
- Collecting and inventorying the testator's assets
- Collecting debts owed to the estate
- Paying claims against the estate
- Distributing assets to the beneficiaries of the will
- Closing the estate
These responsibilities can be daunting and time-consuming. If you have been named the executor of an estate, contact Gorman & Jones, PLC to discuss your role and the Arizona estate administration process.
Initiate Probate
It is the executor's duty to open up the estate and to begin probate proceedings. Typically, an executor who is not an attorney will hire a lawyer to represent the estate during the probate process, to provide the required notices to interested parties and potential creditors, to obtain required documents (such as the death certificate and an original copy of the will), to deal with will contests, and to close the estate. Attorneys fees and expenses for representing the estate are, like executor fees, charged against the estate.
Inventorying Assets
The executor is also responsible for completing an inventory of the assets of the estate. All probate assets must be collected and inventoried. Also, it may be necessary to have certain assets of the estate (such as jewelry or collectibles) appraised.
Collecting Debts and Payments Owed to the Estate
The executor should check with the decedent's former employer to determine whether there is any unpaid salary or benefits owed to the decedent. The executor must also identify outstanding debts owed to the estate and pursue collection of those debts. Expenses involved in the collection of the debts, including fees associated with hiring a collection agency to collect debts, are charged to the estate.
Paying Claims Against the Estate
Once probate court determines that the will is valid, the executor may begin to pay taxes and other claims against the estate. While paying creditor claims is a task that can be handled by a non-attorney executor, the process of paying taxes on behalf of the estate and of the decedent is often complicated and therefore handled by an attorney hired for the probate and administration process.
Distributing Assets to Beneficiaries and Closing the Estate
Once creditor claims against the estate have been settled, the executor can then distribute the remainder of the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the will. When all of the creditors have been paid and the remainder of the estate has been distributed to the beneficiaries, the estate can be closed and the executor can be released from any further duties on behalf of the estate. A court will typically close the estate upon receiving:
- Copies of notices to concerned parties
- Copies of payments to creditors of the estate
- Evidence that remaining assets of the estate have been distributed
Speak to a Probate Lawyer
Any person over the age of 18 can be named an executor of a will, provided that the person has not been convicted of a felony, and often times a family member or close friend is chosen to serve. However, settling an estate, even a simple one, involves numerous details and technical requirements that are often left to an attorney. If you have been appointed as an executor of an estate, contact Gorman & Jones, PLC in Sun City, Arizona, to schedule a consultation with an attorney experienced in probate and estate administration.
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