Probate Executor’s Duties

Managing Estate Assets

The executor (or administrator) of an estate is tasked with a number of responsibilities, the primary of which is managing assets of the estate in a reasonable manner. An executor/administrator of an estate must act diligently in collecting all estate assets and selling, investing, holding, or disposing assets of the estate for the benefit of the estate’s heirs. How assets are managed will vary in each estate depending on the unique circumstances involved.

Because the executor/administrator can be held personally liable for any mismanagement of estate assets, it is important that he or she obtain the advice of an experienced probate attorney.

Inventorying the Estate’s Assets

Once the executor has identified the estate’s assets, he or she must file a “Inventory and Appraisal” of those assets with the court. Many estate assets must be appraised by a court-appointed probate referee. The probate referee will value assets identified by the executor in the Inventory and Appraisal. In some cases, assets are particularly unique and require an appraisal by a qualified appraiser accustomed to handling similar assets.

Identifying, Notifying, and Paying Creditors

While collecting assets may be more enjoyable for the executor, identifying and providing notice to creditors are equally important responsibilities. An executor should act promptly to determine whether there are any outstanding debts of the estate and provide prompt notice to such creditors. Once claims by creditors are submitted, the executor must determine whether the claims were filed in a timely manner, represent legitimate debts, and whether the amount claimed is accurate. While some debts can be paid during the course of estate administration, it is typically advisable to delay payment of creditor claims until it is certain that the estate’s assets will be sufficient to cover all outstanding claims.

Accounting and Maintaining Records

The role of an executor is to act as a “fiduciary” on behalf of the individuals and entities entitled to the estate’s assets. To ensure that assets are properly managed, executors are required to scrupulously maintain records of all actions taken as executor. Unless the accounting is waived by the estate’s heirs, an executor must prepare a formal accounting of all transactions which he or she has entered on behalf of the estate, and must be prepared to support the accounting with the underlying records.