When an individual passes away in Rockland County, New York, there’s a good chance that they have created an estate plan that includes a will and has named an executor to carry out their wishes. In addition, the executor of the will is responsible for completing the probate process. Probate is the process by which the county Surrogate’s Court will determine whether the will is valid in the eyes of the court and ensure that the estate is closed properly.
When the executor files the will in Surrogate’s Court to start the probate process, they also have to provide documents including the death certificate and the probate petition. When the court approves of the will and grants power to the executor, the executor can begin fulfilling all of his or her duties, such as:
- Collecting and protecting the assets of the estate
- Paying all funeral costs, outstanding debts, and filing any taxes
- Distributing all assets to the beneficiaries that were named in the will
- Providing the court with a detailed accounting
- Handling any contests to the will or familial disputes
Once the court agrees that the executor has fulfilled all of his or her responsibilities, the probate process can conclude and the estate can be closed.
If you have been named the executor of a will and have questions about probate, contact our firm today.
The Lauterbach Law Firm is proud to serve clients throughout Rockland County who are faced with legal matters related to estate planning, real estate, foreclosure defense, landlord-tenant law, business law, and criminal defense. If you require the services of an experienced team of attorneys, contact The Lauterbach Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.
