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Legal Beagle? (estate attorney)

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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Sorry to bring up a rather sad situation, but I just found out I'm named as executor of a friend's estate. There is a legal Will. The deceased was a resident of Texas; I'm a resident of Connecticut.

I've been a personal representative and a conservator, but never an executor.

Any advice from someone with experience as an executor?

Thanks.
Tom M.
 
Tom, I will be in the same situation in the possibly near future and I think as the will was drawn up in South Carolina, I have to be there to execute the will, not sure about that, but think that's the way it is. So, I'm assuming you would have to be in Texas for the execution of said will. I know there are papers to be signed and notarized. Texas might have different regulations, I don't know. PJ
 
Thanks Paul. I don't want to get anything screwed up, especially as the deceased was a dear, long-time friend (a former teacher of mine). I've just called the law office handling the estate, and will keep my fingers crossed that this will all work out. It's not something which can be sewn up in a few days!
Tom M.
 
While I can't conclusively speak for Texas, personal representative is just modern terminology for the common law terms executor and administrator. Archaically, an executor was the term used where a will was involved and administrator the term for the same office in an intestate estate. Texas lawyer will do all the work.

Bob
 
Thanks Bob. I'm slowly realizing that much of the work is done by the lawyer handling the estate. If appointed, my job will be to gather papers and information, and make personal contacts and distributions, with those named as beneficiaries.

I hope.
Tom M.
 
Yeah. Your function will be to evaluate claims of creditors, pay or otherwise process them, gather up assets and distribute the assets to those entitled to them, whether by simple delivery, bill of sale, or deed.
Bob
 
I'm not a legal person, and cannot contribute to what you are really asking.

But when I read "dear friend" and "teacher" in the same sentence, my heart fell. Assume this was one of the wonderful folks covered in your Mac & Phyllis trip. Yow.

Condolences to you, my friend.
 
Thanks Mike.

Me and my teacher - at age 85 - when I stopped in Texas to see her, as I drove my old Mercedes-Benz cross country back in 2013.

harriet.jpg
 
Thought that might be the one. Donuts - she has good taste :smile:.

92, not a bad run. We all want more, of course - especially of our friends. (I don't want to live long, but I want all my friends to outlive me!)

Sorry.
 
1. Keep good records. Your estate attorney will need them.
2. Don't pay the beneficiaries ahead of time. A claim may come in and you may have to claw back the money. Good luck with that.
3. Make sure claims that are filed within the time limit - if any - are ok to pay.
4. You are entitled to a reasonable fee. Keep time records and cash disbursements. CT doesn't have a schedule like New York. Your attorney can guide you as to amount. But - are you a beneficiary as well? If you are, then forgo the fee. It's taxable income to you whereas you could inherit Ten Million Dollars and not pay a dime in taxes. The estate will pay.
5. Make sure your lawyer hasn't forgotten to include an asset in the Inventory and examine all papers carefully before you sign. If I think of anything else, I'll pass it on.
 
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