Estate Administration encompasses all that must be done following an individual’s death, including opening the estate, notices, certifications, filings including inheritance tax return and payment, satisfaction of debts, accounting and distributions to estate beneficiaries, and closing the estate. It can be very helpful to have the guidance of an attorney to assist you with these tasks because they have experience in how to administer an estate but also because you are likely to be grieving the loss of a loved one. We can assure you that your loved one’s estate will be handled efficiently but also that your loss will be met with compassion.
Testate vs. Intestate Estates
When an individual passes away with a Will, that is considered to be a Testate Estate. The Will establishes how the assets are to be distributed and who is to be named the personal representative to administer the estate. When one does not have a properly executed Will, their assets pass according to the laws of Intestacy and an Administrator must be named.