What is a “Personal Representative” in a Last Will and Testament?

A “personal representative” is better known as the Executor or Administrator of the Will: the person who oversees the distribution of assets as it is written in the Will, guiding it through Probate. The following are the most common functions of the Exector:

– Keep safe a copy of the Will;

– Obtain certified copies of the death certificate;

– Find the beneficiaries named in the Will and others who must be notified about the Will (children of the decedent not named, etc.);

– Determine all probate assets;

– File a petition with the probate court (if required for that state);

– Identify all assets of the deceased;

– Value or appraise the estate\’s assets;- Give legal notice to all potential creditors;

– Receive all payments due to the estate;

– Investigate claims against the estate;

– Pay the expenses of administrating the estate;- Pay funeral bills and other outstanding debts and claims;

– Handle standard paperwork for the deceased in regards to government agencies;

– File and pay all income and estate taxes;

– Distribute the remaining property in accordance with the instructions provided in the Will;

– Close the probate case.

See Standard Legal’s Last Will and Testament Legal Forms Software for complete forms, overviews and instructions.