THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES PACKET

Packet Index

• Introduction
• Administration of Estates
• What to do When Death Occurs
• Preparing for an Easier Administration of an Estate
• Will, Powers of Attorney & Estate Definitions
• Estate Information Form
• Estate Assets, Debts & Benefits Form
• Service Principles
• Resumé Lawrence Pascoe
• Fees - Administration of Estates
• Administration of Estates Packet Survey
• Choosing a Lawyer Survey

Introduction

The Administration of Estates Packet is for the benefit of an Executor (now also called an Estate Trustee) at the time of death of the person who appointed them as Executor and also for the benefit of future Executors. The packet contains information about what the Executor’s responsibilities are, what information is needed and what the costs are for administrating an estate. As well, the packet contains information to plan beforehand to ensure the administration of the estate is easier and less stressful.

The job of administrating an estate can be a very stressful one because of the emotions that naturally occur on the passing of one’s loved one, be it a spouse, a parent or a close relative or friend. However, it is really not an overly difficult job. There are just many aspects to it. It is a job that can generally be done satisfactorily by the average person. It is my job, as the lawyer, to advise the executor exactly what his or her duties are as well as complete the many legal aspects of administering an estate. In many cases, my staff and I will take on Executor functions as requested to do by the client.

Proper preparation might substantially reduce legal fees, court processing fees and taxes. I have counseled my clients to take steps to make the job of administering estates easier and less stressful. I have shown them how to leave complete instructions and information for their executors. I developed a manual for my will clients to record up to date information and instructions. I have advised them to register their assets and name their beneficiaries in such a way to reduce legal and court fees and taxes. I have sent their executors a letter with an article about the administration of estates and advised them of the existence of this manual of information.

The packet contains my article The Administration of Estates which explains the functions of an executor. There is a short memorandum What to Do When Death Occurs as well as an Estate Information Form and Estate Assets, Debts & Benefits Form which asks for basic information necessary to administer an estate. My article Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Definitions explains plainly many of the legal terms that are used in estate matters. To inform an executor about my fees and what I consider to be my role as a lawyer I have written the article The Lawyer's Role and Legal Fees in the Administration of Estates. To let you know more about me I have included my Resumé. To advise named executors as to what they might do to ensure their job is easier and less stressful, I have included my article entitled Preparing for an Easier Administration of Estates.

I encourage my clients to give me their opinions. To obtain more feedback, I have initiated a Client Survey Contest. I invite even non clients to complete the Administration of Estates Packet Survey and Choosing a Lawyer Survey and enter the contest.

There is a common misconception among many people that the lawyer who prepared the will is the lawyer who must be the lawyer with respect to the administration of the estate. This is simply not so. Any lawyer can represent the executor, not just the lawyer who prepared the will. I would be pleased to answer your questions about estate matters. I would remind you that my articles are not a substitute for obtaining legal advice but for general information. It is still advisable to consult a lawyer about estate matters.