Long Island Elder Law & Estate Planning

If you have been named executor of an estate, you should contact Long Island probate attorneys as soon as possible for assistance. Experienced attorneys at Mark S. Eghrari & Associates, PLLC  can help you to understand what is involved in serving as executor and can guide you through the process so you can fulfill your duties in an appropriate way. Long Island probate attorneys

Serving as executor of an estate is a lot more complicated than many people realize, and you have legal obligations if you agree to take on this role. You should not commit to becoming an executor until you’ve talked with Long Island probate attorneys about what this job entails.

You should also make sure you get the legal support and assistance you need to do the job right to ensure the wishes of the deceased are respected and your duty is fulfilled. Give us a call now to find out more.

What You Should Expect if You’re an Executor

If you have been named executor of an estate in a will, the first thing to realize is that the court must officially appoint you to this role. If you don’t want to fulfill it, you do not have a legal obligation to do so unless and until you’re appointed and agree to take on the task — so you should think carefully about whether you’re willing.

You should also be aware that agreeing to serve as executor of an estate can be a big commitment and a long-term commitment. The probate process can take around a year to complete and during that time, you’ll have to manage estate assets, take care of legal issues, handle tax obligations, and otherwise fulfill many responsibilities. If you aren’t up to the task, the court can appoint an estate administrator or personal representative who can carry out the wishes of the deceased and ensure that the will is probated properly.

You should also be aware that you will have a fiduciary duty if you agree to serve as executor of an estate. This is the highest duty a person can owe to another, and a breach of fiduciary duty could lead to serious legal consequences. You want to think carefully about whether you are able and willing to take on the responsibility of managing estate assets and shepherding the will through the probate process because having a fiduciary duty is a serious obligation.

Finally, it’s important to realize that the executor of an estate has to handle many technical responsibilities during probate, including taking the necessary steps to facilitate the timely transfer of wealth to heirs or beneficiaries. This process can be a challenge, but an attorney can help to make sure that the right steps are taken with the court and with accounting for and managing estate assets so the probate process will go as smoothly as it can.

Getting Help from Long Island Probate Attorneys

Long Island probate attorneys at Mark S. Eghrari & Associates, PLLC  will make the process of serving as executor of an estate so you can honor the wishes of the deceased, protect assets, and ensure that wealth transfers quickly to heirs or beneficiaries. If someone you care about has passed away and you’ve been named as executor of an estate, you should join us for a free seminar to find out more about how the probate process works.

You can also give us a call at (631) 265-0599 or contact us online to get personalized one-on-one advice specific to your situation. Call now so we can help you through the probate process so the estate can be settled ad you and the heirs or beneficiaries can move on with your lives.

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About Mark S. Eghrari, Estate Planning Attorney

Mark S. Eghrari is an attorney in private practice in Smithtown, New York. He has been in practice since 1988. Mark S. Eghrari provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses. Mr. Eghrari’s primary focus is helping clients avoid probate, minimize or eliminate Federal and State Estate taxes and protect their assets from the high cost of nursing care, if they become ill.