If someone trusts you enough to ask you to serve as a personal representative, executor, or estate administrator, you should take it as a compliment. You should also prepare to take on this role by familiarizing yourself with the duties you will have to perform. Once you are appointed and it’s time to get to work, there are a few pointers you’ll want to make sure you always follow.
Tip 1: Keep estate funds separate and use them only for estate purposes
Your job as executor allows you to manage all estate property, possibly including bank accounts and other sources of funds. It’s vital that you always keep these funds separate from your own and use them only for estate purposes. You should also be very careful when you use estate funds to pay estate expenses. Always be sure the expenses are legitimate, and never use estate funds to pay for personal expenses even if you intend to pay them back.
Tip 2: Pay close attention to the court’s order
Probate court proceedings can sometimes feel more relaxed than criminal or civil proceedings, but you must always be sure to follow the court’s orders. If you don’t think you can or should follow the court’s directions you should speak to you probate attorney and ask what options you have.
Tip 3: Keep your attorney close
Speaking of a probate attorney, it’s vital that you hire one as soon as possible. Probate is complicated, and you’ll need the advice of an experienced attorney to do your job properly and ensure you don’t get yourself into trouble.
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