What Does Your Estate Executor Need to Do Immediately After a Loved One Passes Away?
An estate executor, which might be called different terms in different states plays an important role in closing out the final affairs of a recently deceased family member.
There are a couple of aspects of this process that take place over the course of later weeks and months or even years but some steps need to be undertaken immediately. It is important that whoever you choose to appoint as your executor is aware of these responsibilities and capable of serving in this role. Some of the tasks that need to be handled immediately include:
- Ordering death certificates.
- Arranging a funeral.
- Contacting an attorney.
The entire settlement process of a typical estate can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Those cases that have instances of probate disputes and beyond might take longer. It is also important to be mindful about yearend calendar issues as it relates to legal or tax related filings.
The executor’s primary job is to manage and wind down the estate of the deceased person, resolving any debts, reviewing the will, distributing remaining assets to the heirs and filing legal paperwork. This typically begins by arranging the funeral and taking an inventory to understand all of the assets inside the estate. This can be followed by sending notifications, resolving debts, filing taxes, making distributions and wrapping up the case.
Being an executor is a big responsibility. For more information about how to choose the right person to serve in this role, contact an estate planning lawyer in Virginia Beach, VA.
