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Home >> Basic Questions About Estate Planning: Should you Serve as Executor?

Basic Questions About Estate Planning: Should you Serve as Executor?

November 17, 2015 by Robert Kulas. Leave a Comment

Basic Questions About Estate Planning. Should you Serve as Executor?If someone asks you to serve as executor of his or her estate, what should you say? Before you decide on an answer, you will need to know what will be asked of you when you serve as executor. Executors, also known as personal representatives or estate administrators, have some specific duties when it comes to managing the estate settlement process. Beyond those specific duties, however, executors should have certain character traits that will allow them to carry out their responsibilities in an appropriate manner. Before you accept or decline a nomination to serve as executor, here are several questions you might want to ask yourself.

Do you have the time to serve as executor?

The estate settlement process can be complicated and time-consuming. Because of this, if you are asked to serve as a personal representative you need to ask yourself if you have the time necessary to perform the required duties. Some of these duties are relatively minor and will only take brief periods of time, while other duties might be far more time-consuming. For example, if you are the executor of an estate involved in estate litigation, you might have to spend a lot of time talking to attorneys, attending court hearings, or participating in other litigation related events.

In the best situations, the estate settlement process might take less than a year, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be spending the entire time administering the estate. Some days you might spend no time at all acting as an executor, while other days you might have spent several hours or more.

Do you have the ability to pay attention to minor details?

Many of the steps involved in the estate settlement process are detail oriented. For example, as an executor, it will be your responsibility to perform an estate inventory and keep track of all the property the decedent left behind. Sometimes this can be a painstaking and time intensive process. If you don’t have the patience to stick to the process, or don’t believe you have the ability to keep track the necessary details, you might want to decline the nomination.

Further, as executor you will be expected to comply with any relevant probate laws. While you should have a probate attorney who is there to guide you through this process, you will have to be able to make sure that you act appropriately.

Are you able to deal with conflict in a healthy way?

Not every estate settlement process involves litigation or conflict, but the possibility is there. If you don’t feel comfortable managing an estate that might be challenged in court, or which might involve family conflicts, serving as an executor might not be the best choice.

On the other hand, if you believe yourself to be levelheaded and responsible, serving as an executor is often a rewarding experience.

Filed Under: Probate

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Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

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Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

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"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

L.G.K.
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