If you have been appointed administrator for an estate, you may wonder what you have to do, and how you do it. You are not alone in feeling confused and not knowing where to begin. Even if you are good with numbers and accounting, estate law can be complicated. Whether you are just starting out in the estate administration process or you need specific help with reporting estate administration to Manalapan Township courts, we can help.

An experienced estate administration attorney could explain your responsibility and assist with legal steps to ensure you execute your duties properly.

Why It Is Important to Follow the Rules

Estate administrators are obligated by law to meet the decedent’s wishes during probate. This includes paying any debts and taxes due on the estate and distributing property to the appropriate inheritors. If the administrator makes a mistake or fails to do their duties, an inheritor could file a civil lawsuit demanding compensation, or the probate court could get involved and cite the administrator for contempt. Working closely with a lawyer who understands estate administration in Manalapan Township can prevent mistakes that lead to unfortunate legal consequences in court.

What Needs to Be Reported to the Manalapan Township Courts

The decedent’s original will must be filed with the Surrogate of the county where they lived at the time of death. The will must be an original, because a copy of the will is not admissible without a judge’s approval. If the original will cannot be found, a lawyer may be able to suggest the next steps, which could include following the state’s laws of intestate succession.

Once the will is admitted, the estate administrator can open a bank account specifically for the estate using an estate tax identification number. There are a number of forms to file with the Internal Revenue Service and the County Surrogate’s Office to ensure the estate administrator is not held personally liable for debts that belong to the estate. A lawyer can help identify which forms need to be filed and how to properly fill them out.

Other aspects of the estate that need to be reported to the court include:

  • List of assets owned by the decedent
  • List of the decedent’s outstanding debts
  • Confirmation from the IRS and the state that all taxes on the estate have been satisfied

In some cases, an accounting of the estate may be required by law.

When everything has been properly filed with the courts, the property and assets need to be distributed to the inheritors as instructed by the decedent in the will. A lawyer can help with this important aspect of reporting estate administration to Manalapan Township courts.

Schedule a Consultation with a Manalapan Township Estate Planning Attorney

It is not unusual to feel overwhelmed and underqualified when you are appointed as an estate administrator. Fortunately, Nesevich Law, LLC is here to make the process more understandable and less stressful. We can help with reporting estate administration to Manalapan Township courts so you are sure that you are following all the appropriate laws concerning probate.

Contact our experienced team today to schedule a free consultation and get started on the estate administration process.