Settling an Estate

Who Can Serve as Executor of an Estate?

Ultimately, state courts are in charge of who they allow to serve as executor of a will - at least in their probate courts.

Do I Receive Payment for Serving as Executor?

Being a conscientious executor takes a lot of time and effort. Should you get paid for taking on the job? State law typically provides for payment of the executor.

I'm the Executor—Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer?

Sometimes executors are able to wrap up an estate themselves, without hiring a probate lawyer.

Can the Executor of a Will Be Removed?

Can you "fire" the executor? A court can always remove an executor who is dishonest or seriously incompetent.

What Are an Executor's Responsibilities to Manage Estate Property?

If you’re appointed executor, how do you keep estate property safe and secure? If there’s a home, for instance, what do you do with it?

Opening a Bank Account for Estate Funds

To collect the deceased person's cash assets and to have a way to pay the bills, you'll need a bank account for estate funds. Here's how it works.

Estimating the Value of Inherited Real Estate

When passing along real estate, the executor must value the property appropriately.

Claiming Inherited Property With a "Small Estate" Affidavit

Find out if you can skip probate and claim your inheritance using a simple sworn statement or affidavit.

How Transfer-on-Death Beneficiaries Claim Vehicles

If a car was registered using a TOD form, probate won't be necessary. The beneficiary usually just needs a title and a death certificate.

Claiming Money From a Payable-on-Death Bank Account

When the owner of a payable-on-death account dies, the POD beneficiary can simply claim the money from the bank.

How Do I Close My Deceased Parents' Checking Account?

If you're the POD beneficiary or managing the estate, closing the checking account and getting the funds should be fairly easy.

Executors: How Do You Find The Will?

What if you're not even sure there is a will? How to conduct your search and what to do if you can’t find the will.

How to Determine If a Will Is Valid

It isn't usually hard to tell whether or not a will meets your state's legal requirements for validity. Here's what to look for.

How to Read a Will

It's not always easy going, so here's a guide to help you through the will.

Executors: Ordering Certified Death Certificates

If you’re the executor or administrator of an estate, you’re going to need copies of the deceased person’s death certificate.

What If the Beneficiary of a Will Has Died?

The will may provide instructions for what happens if a beneficiary predeceases the will-maker, but if it doesn't, state law determines who inherits.

Group Inheritance: How Does a Class Gift in a Will Work?

An inheritance left to a group of people—like “my children”—is called a “class gift.” Dividing class gifts can be confusing if one class member dies.

What Tax Returns Must The Executor File?

An executor might need to file several different types of tax returns on behalf of the deceased person or the estate.

Executors: Keep Beneficiaries Informed

One of the most important jobs for an executor is to keep beneficiaries in the loop as you work to settle the estate.