Proper Planning Eases the Burden of Estate Settlement

• Your executor is responsible for seeing that your estate is settled in accordance with your wishes and certain legal and tax regulations
• It may be beneficial to name a corporate fiduciary as executor or co-executor to attend to the details of your estate administration

The days and weeks following the death of a loved one can be a difficult time, especially when it comes to settling the estate of the deceased. Proper planning in advance, however, can help make estate settlement a smoother process for all concerned.

The cornerstone of any estate plan is a will. Nearly everyone knows this, of course, but they often put off drafting a will because they believe it will be too expensive or will make them feel uncomfortable. However, not having a will may cost you more money in the end and make it harder to work through the estate settlement process. If you die without a will, the state will step in to dispose of your assets— a prospect that most of us would not welcome.

As part of the will drafting process, you will have to choose an executor. This is a critical decision since the executor is responsible for seeing that the estate is settled in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.

Serving as executor is a complex and time-consuming responsibility. Tax regulations and other laws affecting estate planning are subject to frequent change, and many executors come to learn that they have neither the time nor the expertise to keep abreast of such changes. As a result, it may be beneficial to name a corporate fiduciary as executor or co-executor to attend to the details of your estate administration.

The executor’s responsibilities come into play when it is time to settle the estate. Typically, estate settlement involves four major steps. 

An executor must value all assets in the estate, including securities, business interests, and retirement plans as well as arrange for professional appraisals of such items as real estate, artwork, and jewelry.

The executor must ensure that there is sufficient cash to pay legitimate creditors and related estate expenses, which may include sizable taxes. In this role, the executor may have to make crucial decisions to sell securities or other assets.

Impeccable recordkeeping is essential to ensure that documentation is accurate and complete. Complex tax reports and probate documents must be filed in accordance with specific deadlines.

This requires that the executor make decisions in a timely fashion, since the distribution of bequests and residuary assets should be carried out in a prudent and efficient manner.

Estate settlement should be as straightforward and non-disruptive as possible for your family.

Navigate the complexities with confidence—explore more insights on estate settlement to better understand each step and the role of an executor. Discover how thoughtful planning can help ease administrative burdens and support a more efficient process for those you leave behind.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service. It is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. If professional advice is needed, the services of a professional advisor should be sought.

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