When a death occurs without warning, the family members are in a state of shock. But decisions still must be made, and often it falls to the executor of the person’s estate to make them on very short notice. Since there may already be pre-planned funeral arrangements that the decedent prepaid during his or her lifetime, it’s important to determine … Read More
What Do Alternate Estate Executors Need to Know?
Sometimes people named as executors of estates are unable to serve in that capacity. They may have died at the same time as the decedent, as in spouses killed in an accident, or they might have predeceased the decedent. There are other reasons that could preclude a named executor from carrying out his or her duties. Perhaps that person no … Read More
Protecting Estate Assets as an Executor
If you are the executor of someone’s estate, it’s incumbent upon you to preserve and protect the assets that now belong to the estate. Sometimes this is relatively simple, such as locking up the decedent’s former home with their property safe inside. But other times, it may be far more difficult. For instance, if there are valuable pieces of jewelry … Read More
Important Things to Know About Probate for the Executor
Being named as executor of an estate is a solemn responsibility. While it may be a source of some pride to be named to such an important position, many would-be executors are understandably daunted by the enormity of the task. Estate law is fairly complex, and the process of probate can be confusing and possibly lengthy. For those British Columbia … Read More
So…you are the estate executor. Now what??
“Learning you have been named as executor of somebody’s estate can come as a surprise. While it is better for the decedent to have already pre-arranged with his or her intended executor to carry out these duties, many never get around to having that important conversation. As one estate lawyer in the United States remarked, “”A common adage says to … Read More
Preparing the executor for estate administration
Very few executors are surprised to find out they were named to the position, having typically been informed during the estate planning stages. Given the prior knowledge of the eventual responsibility, it might not be a bad idea for the executor to prepare for the process of estate administration in British Columbia ahead of time. Here are some tips for … Read More
How Do You Confirm That You Were Named as Executor?
Some British Columbia residents are surprised to learn that they have been named as executor of a deceased person’s estate. The way to confirm this is to view the original will. Wills may be kept in the testator’s home, at the lawyer’s office who drafted the testamentary document or in the decedent’s safety deposit box. When a thorough search fails … Read More
How Can I Minimize My Liability as Executor During Probate?
When accepting the responsibility of being the executor of a decedent’s estate, one also accepts any liabilities. According to one senior will and estate planner in Newfoundland, the primary risk to executors is the last will and testament. Many people draft wills that are quite vague and fail to specify important information about bequests to heirs and beneficiaries. For example, … Read More
Do I Have to Accept Being an Administrator of a Will?
If you are named as executor of someone’s estate, that is an indication that the person had great confidence in you and your ability to carry out his or her wishes. But while it may be considered an honour, it is also a big responsibility. Some people who are named as executors wind up renouncing those duties. There can be … Read More
The Duties of an Executor, Part III
Many executors don’t need to apply for probate, depending upon the estate’s assets, as some can pass on to the heirs directly. Properties owned as joint tenancies with other people don’t have to be probated. All executors must do is file applications accompanied by the death certificates in the Land Title Office to register the properties in the surviving joint … Read More
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2