An executor may face challenges from the family while probating an estate. A question might even arise regarding what authorities the decedent's power of attorney has to make decisions. Understanding the differences between the two roles can clear up confusion on the...
What Happens If An Executor Fails To File Probate?
As a family deals with the death of a loved one, numerous issues arise, requiring immediate attention. The burden can become overwhelming, and it can be easy to put off some responsibilities. However, probate is a necessary process for managing the estate. Failure to...
How Do Executors Handle A House Sale During Probate?
If you are an executor for an estate that includes valuable real property, such as a house, you may need to sell the property during the probate process. For instance, you might need to pay off estate debts or liquidate assets so they can distribute to heirs and...
Creditors may file claims against estates for unpaid debts
During probate, executors will need to handle claims filed against estates to recover unpaid debts from the deceased's assets. The Superior Court of California website notes that an estate’s personal representative also owes a duty to notify the deceased's known...
What is a POD account, and how does it affect an estate?
If you are an estate administrator, you know that many financial assets are simply going to be listed in the will. For instance, the individual who passed away may have had a bank account with a significant balance, and they wanted it to be split up between their...
Factors that impact the cost of probate in California
If someone dies with no estate planning documents, their estate is required to go through probate. Probate is a court-supervised process that can take a significant amount of time to complete. No one should have to pay for the cost of probate for someone’s estate....
Determining the cost of probate in California
In cases where there is a will but no trust or where the decedent dies with no estate planning documents, the deceased person's estate must pass through the court-supervised probate process. You should never have to pay from your pocket to probate an estate. The...
3 tips for an efficient probate process
Executing an estate can be challenging, especially if you have never done it before. There’s a lot to do and a lot to learn. While you can receive some compensation for your time, you only have so much time in the day. So the longer it takes to execute the estate,...
2 questions to ask before you agree to be an estate executor
The decision to create a will is an enormous one. A will makes clear the testator’s intentions regarding their estate and ensures that their assets are distributed according to their wishes. Basically, an estate executor is responsible for facilitating the probate...
What am I allowed and not allowed to do as an executor?
A distant relative has named you executor, and you’re ambivalent about this position. On the one hand, you’re honored to be trusted with the responsibility. On the other hand, you know very little about being an executor, which overwhelms you a bit. You may wonder...