Personal Representative & Trustee Consulting

Being asked by loved ones to administer their estate or perform as trustee for a trust, is an honor. Someone has bestowed confidence and trust in your ability to care for all of their worldly possessions and dispose of them according to their wishes. The Personal Representative, also known as an Executor, or in the case of trusts, a Trustee, bears significant responsibility. The affairs of an estate must be administered according to state law or else significant penalties and fees can be imposed, not just against the estate, but against the administrator, too. Some of the duties of a Personal Representative include:

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Conduct a thorough search of the decedent’s personal papers and effects for any evidence that might help to identify a potential creditor;
Carefully examine the decedent’s checkbook and check register for recurring payments, as these may indicate an existing debt;
Contact the issuer of each credit card that the decedent had in his or her possession at the time of his or her death;
Contact all parties who provided medical care, treatment, or assistance to the decedent prior to his or her death;
Pay all debts based on seniority of the creditors
Notify beneficiaries

Estate Legal Services works with Personal Representatives and Trustees to provide assurance that they are carrying out their duties in a prudent, efficient, and statutorily responsible manner. We aide in filing court documents, settling taxes, as well as identifying and notifying beneficiaries. The estate administration process can last 6 months to a couple of years. Having a competent attorney by your side to guide you through the process makes a daunting task seem doable while offering piece of mind.

If you are presently in charge of administering an estate, DON’T DELAY. Time is of the essence. If you already have an estate plan in place and would like us to educate your named Personal Representatives or Trustees, we would be happy to do so. Proactive planning can be incredibly beneficial when the emotional time comes of needs to get to work.