Your Executor Duties

Covers letters testamentary, inventory & appraisement, Form 706, death tax computations, and estate closing.

David Edey wants to save you a lot of trouble! In this self-help book he clearly, concisely, and repeatedly explains why it is important that every individual appoint an executor of their estate; what it means to be an executor of an estate; and how having a knowledgeable and responsible executor can help ensure a family’s wealth, welfare, health, and future happiness. The book is filled with advice, tips, and many real-life examples demonstrating what can go wrong (and what can go right), depending on whether or not families plan accordingly in advance, communicate clearly with one another, and are willing to put petty and selfish differences aside. No one likes talking about death and inheritances before they absolutely have to, but as Edey learned from personal experience, having these conversations earlier, rather than later, will save a lot of time and money, alleviate a ton of stress and ill feeling, and ensure that the deceased’s wishes are properly and efficiently carried out.

Written in easy-to-read language with dozens of real-life examples, this book provides important information about mediation, arbitration, small claims court, and civil court procedures, and includes a chapter on working with a lawyer.

Did you know you can hire a professional executor, instead of burdening some unlucky member of your family? This easy-to-read guide answers all your questions about hiring an executor: What Is an Executor? What are the Executor's responsibilities, powers, and duties? What's the difference between Executors and Trustees? Who Is usually the Executor? What happens when you have a suboptimal Executor? What is a Professional Executor? When does hiring a Professional Executor makes sense? How to choose your Professional Executor? How are Executor fees are calculated? When is the Executor paid? Are there fees for naming a Professional Executor in my will? My mother named me the executor in her will, but I'd rather hire a professional executor. Is that allowed? (Yes!)

The Executor's Handbook, Third Edition is a step-by-step guide to settling an estate for personal representatives, administrators, and beneficiaries.

The executor's job is much more involved than you might initially believe. At its simplest, the executor's role involves documenting assets of the deceased, paying the bills for the estate, and distributing assets to the rightful beneficiaries. These in themselves are not simple tasks, and there are many more to come.