As the executor of an estate, you are required to handle the estates affairs and follow the instructions of the probate court. Its important to have an understanding of the responsibilities that will lie ahead. Take a look at the information below to better understand the probate process and what tasks will be expected of you. If you have any questions about serving as executor of an estate, or if you need help with probate affairs, meet with an estate planning probate attorney.

Throughout probate, you will be expected to do the following:

File the petition
Produce the original will
Provide notice to the heirs
Attend the probate hearing

Filing the petition for probate

Its important to note that anyone who has an interest in a will is able to file a probate petition. This may include the executor of the estate, heirs, or creditors. In many cases, the executor is the individual who files the petition for probate.

You will have to provide information in order to start the entire process. This explaining your interest in the will, your request so serve as the representative, your personal information, information about the decedents relatives and heirs, and the estimated value of the estate.

In most cases, you can find your states probate documents online. You can also visit the clerk of the court to get document as well as get any information that you need. You should take extra care when filling out these documents.

You must file the petition in the county in which the decedent resided.

You must file a petition in order to begin the probate process.

Take a look at the information in our next blog post (part 2 of 2), to learn more about probate and serving as executor.