In Marianna, Arkansas, probate is the process through which a Court determines if a will is valid or not.

In the probate process, a Marianna, Arkansas probate court has many duties, including ruling on a will's validity, making an inventory of the estate's assets, and making note of all the decedent's debts. Once the will is determined to be valid, the court will distribute the property according to its terms.

Wills normally name the person who is to serve as executor of the estate. If no executor is named, the Marianna, Arkansas court will appoint an executor. This is normally the person who stands to gain the most if the will is found to be valid.

The executor is the person who has to get the ball rolling on the probate process, and essentially serves as a living embodiment of the decedent's estate. It is their job to defend the estate from debtors (if a legitimate defense for the debt exists, of course), and wind up any legal proceedings that the decedent might have been immersed in. If an executor needs to be appointed, a court normally chooses the person who will inherit the most if the will is given effect, since that person will have the most reason to carry out the duties of the executor.

Duties of the Executor in Marianna, Arkansas

The executor has many duties concerning the will. First, they have to really initiate the probate proceedings, which must be completed before the will is effectuated.

They further are required to provide notice to the people with a direct interest in the estate that the decedent has died, normally by filing a death certificate.

The executor will also have to gather and make available a list of all of the decedent's debts and assets, as well as a list of those who stand to inherit from the decedent.

As the representative of the estate, the executor has to take charge of the probate process, filing the required court papers, and, if necessary, hiring an attorney for assistance. If the estate is large, and the executor stands to inherit a great deal of money once this process is fulfilled, they'll probably find it to be worth the time and expense.

How Can A Marianna, Arkansas Lawyer Help?

Because of the intricacies involved in probate, it would be smart to hire a brilliant Marianna, Arkansas probate lawyer, especially if you are the executor of an estate and unsure how to proceed.