Coping with the demise of a loved one is a debilitating experience, both emotionally and physically. But, if you’re named the deceased person’s executor, a large portion of your mourning period will be consumed by you having to deal with various financial and administrative drudgery.

These responsibilities can bring upon emotional stress if you are not familiar with the procedures. However, we have your back. This article will discuss the steps you need to follow to honor the deceased’s wishes and disburse their assets.

What are the Responsibilities of an Executor of a Will?

An executor of a will is usually the spouse or children of the deceased person. They are entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the assets and properties of the deceased person safe. The duties also include settling all outstanding debts, distribution of the assets, and maintaining their finances. If you have been designated as an executor of a will, you must keep certain things in mind. Keep reading to know what you need to do to implement a will successfully.

What Do You Have to Do to Execute the Will?

The jargon and procedures of handling assets after a person’s death can be complicated. So here are a few tips that you can follow to carry out the deceased person’s wishes effectively.

1.    Get Copies of the Death Certificate

Whether for transfer of assets or applying for reimbursement of Life Assurances, you would need to submit certified copies of the deceased person’s death certificate. Order multiple copies of the certificate from the state medical examiner’s office to make sure you are prepared. You may have to pay some additional fees for the extra copies.

2.    Get all the Important Documents In Line

Apart from the death certificate, you will need several other important documents to execute the posthumous procedures. Therefore, make sure you gather all the information, documents, and account numbers so that you are prepared.

The important documents usually include:

Loan documents
Credit card statements
Contracts and deeds
Insurance policies
Social security card
Tax return forms
Vehicle title and registration documents

3.    Prepare a List of the Assets

In case of the death of an estate owner, the court might need you to personally inventory the decedent’s assets and report them within a specific time period. A proper list is also required for the disbursement of the assets.

4.    Establish an Estate Account

You need to have a ready source of cash for the settlement of the estate debts and taxes. Setting up a separate bank account for the estate will save you from hassle. You can transfer the funds acquired from liquidated assets and the deceased’s bank account to the designated bank account. It will make the process of asset disbursement much simpler.

5.    Disburse the Assets to the Beneficiaries

Once you have settled all the debts and paid the bills and taxes, you can now begin with distributing the assets to the beneficiaries. First, make sure you get signed receipts from the beneficiaries mentioning they have received their assets along with the date of receipt.

6.    Consider Hiring an Attorney

If you are too overwhelmed with this jargon, you can consider hiring a lawyer. They will help you manage all the legalese. A Florida Probate Attorney will also help you avoid complications and mistakes.

The Bottom Line:

It is normal to feel overwhelmed if you are assigned as the will’s executor, especially if you have little or no experience. We hope this article will help you navigate the administrative and monetary procedures you have to handle to execute the deceased’s wishes successfully.