How to Stop Your Job as Personal Representative of an Estate From Driving You Crazy

For some people, family life is a constant source of stress. For others, family interactions are usually so painless that you wonder why everyone else is in such a foul mood during the holidays, since you enjoy spending the holidays with your relatives, and even with your spouse’s relatives. Some events involve such a heavy workload that they invariably involve at least some stress. These include planning weddings and other gatherings where all the out-of-town relatives visit at once, caring for babies that are too young to go to daycare, and administering the estates of deceased family members. The closer you are to the center of the action, the more acutely you feel the stress. When you are the personal representative of a close family member’s estate, the relatives you once relied on for emotional support seem to make your task more difficult, and one of them is noticeably absent. You have the role of accountant, peacemaker, and ATM, whether you asked for these responsibilities or not, and everyone seems to find fault with the way you do it. If a relative has named you personal representative of his or her estate, and you find the task intimidating, contact a Bronx probate attorney.

Talk to the Testator About the Will While You Still Have the Chance

The contents of a will are no one’s business but the testator’s while the testator is alive; even the witnesses only have to see the testator’s signature, not the individual bequests. Some people who have subordinated their wishes to everyone else’s for their whole lives take delight in secretly writing a will where they can have the last word about the family finances. Unless you are truly unlucky in your role as personal representative, the testator will notify you, as soon as he or she signs the will, that you are the personal representative, and the testator will let you read the will.

Ask questions about points that you consider ambiguous or that might upset the heirs. You can even ask the testator to write a last letter of instruction, which explains his or her reasoning behind the provisions in the will.

Hire a Probate Lawyer Sooner Rather Than Later

As the personal representative of an estate, you have the right to hire a lawyer to represent you during probate. If you have a feeling that the testator’s will is a recipe for trouble, you have the right to consult a probate lawyer even while the testator is still alive. Your lawyer cannot compel the testator to change the will, but the lawyer can advise you on what to expect during probate and how to cope with the challenges that you will likely face. In the worst-case scenario, you can even refuse the probate court’s invitation to appoint you as personal representative.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation With a Bronx Estate Planning Attorney

A probate lawyer can help you navigate your responsibilities as personal representative of a family member’s estate.  Contact Cavallo & Cavallo in the Bronx, New York to set up a consultation.

Source:

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