Intestate Estate Administration
Memphis Estate Administration Attorney
Being named as the executor or administrator of a family member’s or loved one’s estate is a weighty responsibility. While some may volunteer to help a family member out or feel compelled to assist their loved one after his or her death, many who do so feel overwhelmed and unprepared for the time-consuming and challenging task that lay ahead.
If you are facing a similar situation and do not know where to turn next, Douglass & Runger, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, is a Tennessee-based law firm that can assist you in fulfilling your duties and responsibilities. Contact us today at (901) 388-5805 to learn more about your legal options. Let us take the pain out of the process so that you can focus on healing and moving forward after your loss.
Duties And Obligations During Estate Administration
Most do not comprehend the vast amount of duties and responsibilities that an executor or administrator has placed upon him/her at the time of a loved one’s passing. These responsibilities can linger for months – if not years – until the time when the deceased’s estate is properly wound up and/or the court releases the administrator or executor from further responsibilities. These responsibilities and duties must be carried out diligently and competently; if not, heirs and beneficiaries can bring a lawsuit against the executor or administrator for damages.
Some of the common duties and responsibilities that executors and administrators have include:
Present the deceased’s will to the court for probate
Taking inventory of the deceased’s estate
Notifying heirs and potential beneficiaries:
The executor or administrator must notify those people that, under the law and/or under the terms of the will, stand to inherit some part of the deceased’s estate. The executor or administrator must make reasonable efforts to locate and contact these individuals before otherwise disposing of the assets that would have been given to them.
Notify creditors:
Provide an accounting to the court:
The size and complexity of the estate can dictate how long the estate administration process will last. For small estates with few assets, estate administration can last for several months. For large estates with many beneficiaries and heirs or many creditors, the estate administration process can last for years.
Contact A Dedicated Memphis Estate Administration Attorney For Help
If you find yourself called upon to administer the estate of another, it helps to have experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel to guide you. At Douglass & Runger, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, our legal team is available to help you make sense of your duties and obligations and direct you throughout the estate administration process. Contact us for assistance by calling (901) 388-5805.