Who is responsible for the management of an estate?
The family member who is designated as executor or administrator is responsible for applying for a grant of probate. This grant gives the individual the legal authority to manage and distribute the estate in accord with the wishes expressed within the last will and testament. The grant of probate can be obtained from the probate registry.
How to become an administrator of an estate?
To serve as an estate administrator, you must follow these steps: 1 Ask the probate court where the estate will be processed how to file a petition. 2 Review the deceased’s assets and estimate their value. 3 Gather required documents and information. 4 File a “Petition of Administration” at probate court.
What do you need to know about probate estate administration?
If the deceased’s estate has debts or the deceased owned real estate some form of probate estate administration will be needed. Preparing an accurate inventory of assets, which should only reflect assets that have actually been collected and placed under the control of the administrator or executor, is important.
How is an executor of an estate appointed?
While the positions are charged with many of the same tasks, the difference lies in how they are appointed. The deceased’s will names an executor to manage the estate’s administration. A court must then officially appoint the executor before they can start their duties.
What rights does an administrator of an estate?
An administrator will take title legally on the estate’s assets, and has legal responsibility to file all tax returns and pay all related taxes. This includes state and federal estate tax and income returns, payment of estate death taxes and inheritance taxes, and the deceased’s final federal and state income tax returns.
What is an estate administrator supposed to do?
In general, the responsibilities of an estate administrator are to collect all the decedent’s assets, pay creditors and distribute the remaining assets to heirs or other beneficiaries. As an estate administrator your first responsibility is to provide the probate court with an accounting of the decedent’s assets and debts.
How long does it take to be appointed an estate administrator?
In the absence of a will, the court appoints an administrator for the estate, typically the next of kin. Completion of the executor or administrator appointment takes about six to eight weeks once the executor files the petition or the court makes a selection.
Who can be appointed administrator of an estate?
An administrator for an estate is appointed based on a list of family members, in a particular order. First choice is the spouse of the decedent, then children of the decedent if no spouse exists. Next in line is the decedent’s mother or father, then siblings if no surviving parents, and grandparents if no other family exists.