Jennifer Haslip

​The main tasks of a Personal Representative are to:

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• Determine if there are any probate assets;

• Identify, gather, and inventory the assets of the deceased;

• Receive payments due the estate, including interest, dividends, and other income (e.g., unpaid salary, vacation pay, and other company benefits);

• Set up a checking account for the estate;

• Determine who will receive what and how much under the will (if there is no will, the state’s “interstate succession laws” apply);

• Value or appraise the estate’s assets;

• Give legal notice to potential creditors (the procedure and deadlines for creditors to file claims vary from state-to-state);

• Investigate the validity of all claims against the estate;

• Pay funeral bills, outstanding debts, and valid claims;

• Pay the expenses of administrating the estate;

• Handle various paperwork, such as discontinuing utilities and charge cards, and notifying Social Security, Civil Service, and Veterans Administration of the death;

• File and pay income and estate taxes;

• Distribute the remaining property in accordance with the instructions provided in the deceased’s will, and;

• Close probate.