Estate Administration

After a loved one has passed away, the executor or legal personal representative has a legal responsibility to deal with the estate properly.

Estate administration and legal requirements vary between states, but it is the important process of ensuring that the correct legal steps are taken in honouring the deceased’s Will. A Will is a very important document, and is a way for the deceased to communicate exactly how they wanted their estate to be distributed between family, friends and/or charities.

Before the Will is able to be put into effect, to confirm the validity of the Will, a grant of probate is generally required to be obtained from the Supreme Court.

If the deceased has no Will, or there is a Will but no appointed executor, the process can be even more difficult and will require an application for letters of administration from the Supreme Court.

An executor must:

• Collect the assets of the estate

• Pay the deceased debts

• Publish a notice of intended distribution

• Distribute the estate

We recommend you involve a solicitor when you have the responsibility of administering an estate, as we can help guide you through the process, and assist in making this process as trouble free as possible.

Orman Solicitors are experts in Estate Administration and can help you obtain the grant of probate, or letters of administration, and afterwards, provide assistance to the executor in distributing the deceased’s assets in honouring the Will, in a simple, efficient and cost-effective manner.