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The Executors First Tasks Following a Death
Here's a list that can help you get organized in the hectic and difficult time after a loved one's death.
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What Are The Executor's Duties?
Here’s a summary of what you’ll be doing when you serve as an executor.
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Whether you should serve depends on your individual situation as well as the general demands of the executor's job.
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Who Can Serve as Executor? Legal Restrictions
Ultimately, state courts are in charge of who they allow to serve as executor of a will - at least in their probate courts.
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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.
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I'm The Executor - Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer?
Many executors are able to wrap up an estate themselves, without hiring a probate lawyer.
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Accepted the Job of Executor? Make It Easier On Yourself
If you know ahead of time that you'll be serving as the executor of a will, you can take steps now to make settling the estate go much more smoothly.
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Files the Executor Must Find and Protect
As executor, you'll probably find what you need by combing through the paperwork left behind. Here's what to look for and where to find it.
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Can you "fire" the executor? A court can always remove an executor who is dishonest or seriously incompetent.
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The Executor's Responsibility to Manage Estate Property
The executor is charged with keeping estate property safe and secure until it's turned over to the beneficiaries.
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Estimating the Value of Inherited Real Estate
When passing along real estate, the executor must value the property appropriately.
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How Transfer-on-Death Beneficiaries Claim Vehicles
If a car or truck was registered using a TOD form, probate won't be necessary. The beneficiary usually just needs a title and I.D.
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Claiming Inherited Property With a Sworn Affidavit
If it's available in your circumstances, one great substitute for probate is for inheritors to claim property with a simple sworn statement, or affidavit.
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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.
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How do I close my deceased parents' checking account?
If you are named as a POD beneficiary on the account, or if you're managing the estate in a probate proceeding, closing the checking account and getting the funds should be fairly easy.
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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.
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Executors: How Do You Find The Will?
What if you're not even sure there IS a will? Here are some tips on how to conduct your search.
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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.
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It's not always easy going, so here's a guide to help you through the will.
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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.
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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.
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Who Gets a Group Inheritance When One Member Has Died?
When an inheritance is left to a group and one member is no longer living - for example a "member" child of a "group" of children - it can be confusing for everyone. Here's how to make sense of it.
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What Tax Returns Must The Executor File?
An overview of all the tax returns the executor might need to file on behalf of the deceased person or the estate.
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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.