Three Things to Consider as the Executor of an Estate

So you have been asked to be the personal representative; either the Executor this means the decedent left a will or the Administrator meaning the decedent passed away without a will. Both of these titles are considered the personal representative. As the personal representative you have been appointed by your loved ones will or through the San Diego Probate Court. You may consider this position an honor and it can also be scary and even overwhelming. As you are taking on this responsibility, here are three things you could consider.

1. How much time do you have to spare?
   As the personal representative you are responsible for handling all aspects of the estate, if you live far away you may need to travel to and from the property at least once to complete all the work. Be aware of how much time you are willing to put into the process and when you may need professionals, like my team, to help you complete certain tasks such as liquidating the personal property and preparing the San Diego real estate for sale. There will be a lot of documentation to complete. Including court documents that your attorney will oversee, documents through the sale of the real estate and even sorting through your loved ones paperwork. Being a San Diego personal representative requires some organization skills. It’s important that you keep detailed files of all transactions related to the estate, and again use professionals if you feel uncomfortable with certain responsibilities.As you can imagine, all this is time consuming and can be stressful, especially while grieving, so consider hiring San Diego professionals to help you complete these tasks.
2. Do you understand the San Diego probate rules and regulations?There are laws and timetables to adhere to as the San Diego personal representative. You can do a search online to figure out what your responsibilities are but I suggest that you find an experienced attorney who will save you a great deal of trouble when settling an estate.
3. Do you understand your financial responsibilities as a San Diego personal representative?In most cases, you are entitled to compensation for your time, but know that you must keep detailed documentation to prevent any discrepancies. No one does the work for the money and it’s important to keep in mind that small sums can still cause disputes with the beneficiaries. Be aware of your rights to compensation and do your best to keep other beneficiaries informed as to the amount of time you have put into the estate.

If you will be selling the San Diego probate property be sure to call me, Kim Ward, at the number below. I have over ten years of experience in the San Diego Probate field, my team has helped hundreds of people in your exact circumstances and I can help make this easier, for you  and even introduce you to many helpful professionals who will guide you through the probate process with ease.