A person who accepts the role of Personal Representative (known as an “executor” in other states) in a person’s will has numerous responsibilities once that person dies. In Florida, the Personal Representative typically takes the following actions:

• Hires an attorney to become appointed Personal Representative by the Probate Court

• Identifies all the deceased’s assets, including descriptions, locations, and valuations

• Prepares a formal inventory for the probate court and beneficiaries

• Completes paperwork to change the title of assets from the decedent to the estate

• Pays all appropriate debts and taxes due on the estate

• Defends the estate against any lawsuits or other difficulties

• Distributes the assets in accordance with the deceased’s will or under the laws of Florida

Legal Issue Insights:

There is considerable work involved in being a person’s Personal Representative. It is not simply an honor bestowed upon a friend or relative. Family disputes frequently arise out of the distribution of a deceased’s estate. The Personal Representative executor, ideally, should be someone who is neutral among family and other beneficiaries.

Call DeLoach & Hofstra to get a seasoned, reliable attorney to help you with estate planning or probate issues, and to better prepare your Personal Representative.