If a close relative recently died and had named you as the executor of his or her will, you will have inherited a very serious task to accomplish. The job of an executor is to make sure the person's wishes from the will are executed properly, and this is a job you can hire a probate lawyer for or do yourself. If you want to save money, handling the job on your own is the way to go; however, the process can be time-consuming and complicated if you have never done it before. Here are several things to understand about being an executor and hiring a probate attorney for help.

The Role Of An Executor

Typically, a person will choose someone they completely trust to be the executor of their will. If you were selected, this is probably why your loved one chose you. Being an executor is a huge responsibility, and it involves taking a lot of steps to ensure that a person's assets and debts are divided and handled in the appropriate ways. As the executor, you will have numerous duties, which include the following tasks:

• Paying the debts of the deceased person
• Making sure the will is valid
• Ensuring that the person's assets are divided and legally transferred to the correct individuals
• Going to probate court to ensure that all correct steps are taken to ensure the will is legal and that the way you handle it is legal

These are just a few of the main responsibilities you will have, but there are many others. For example, you will have to set up an estate checking account, locate documents, and file taxes for your deceased relative.

Handling It On Your Own Might Be Dependent On The Complexity Of The Case

There are times when being an executor is very easy, but there are also times when it can be very difficult. The level of complexity of the situation you are in is something you should consider as you make the decision to do this alone or with an attorney.

For example, if your relative had very few assets and debts, handling these things would be very simple. On the other hand, if your relative had dozens of different bank accounts and debts, and if some of the assets were jointly owned, it may be difficult to know how to legally divide these things without the help of an attorney.

One factor you may want to look into before taking this job on yourself is whether the assets the person owned can be transferred without going to probate court. There are certain situations when this is possible, such as when the person had a trust. Another factor to consider is the way the family members are acting and responding to the wishes in the person's will. If there is any controversy over the will, you may need help from a lawyer.

You Could Work Partially With A Lawyer

You have the choice to handle this on your own or hire a lawyer, but you could also do a combination of both. You could handle all the tasks you know how to handle, which may include locating documents and making phone calls, but you could then hire the lawyer for other things. By choosing this option, you could still save money, because you would not be hiring the lawyer to handle the entire case.

The choice in this is up to you, but you should keep in mind that being an executor of a will is not always an easy task. If you have questions or would like to learn more about this, contact a probate lawyer in your area, such as those at Bayer Jerger & Underwood, today.

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