Estate Administration in Kansas City, Missouri

Find the right Estate Administration attorney in Kansas City, MO

When a person dies, a process known as "estate administration" must be carried out. This refers to all the procedures which must be followed in distributing a person's estate to their heirs or devisees.

If the decedent (the person who died) left a will, the process of estate administration in Kansas City Missouri will usually be carried out according to the instructions in the will.

The decedent usually names in the will an executor of his or her estate. The executor is the person whose job it is to take the lead role in the administration of an estate.

The executor is usually whoever stands to obtain the most money or property if the will is given effect, since that is the person who likely has the most incentive to do their part in seeing that the probate process plays out to completion.

What if The Will Does Not Name an Executor?

If a will in Kansas City, Missouri does not name a person to serve as executor, or the decedent dies without having written a will, the court will appoint a person to act as estate administrator.

This is typically the person who will benefit the most if the will is executed. If there is no will (a situation known as "intestacy"), Missouri has a system of laws distributing the decedent's property to his or her closest living relative. In such a situation, the closest living relative has the most to gain from an orderly administration of the estate, so they will typically be appointed.

In cases where the will doesn't name an executor, or the person named is unable to take on that role for whatever reason, any person who has some direct stake in the decedent's estate (either because they're named in the will or stand to inherit by intestacy) can petition a Kansas City, Missouri court to be appointed executor.

Whoever ends up as the executor, it is their responsibility to serve as the personal representative of the estate. They will be responsible for taking account of all of the decedent's assets and debts, as well as notifying beneficiaries who may be estranged from the decedent, among other things.

Can a Kansas City, Missouri Estate Administration Attorney Help?

If you have unexpectedly been appointed to be the executor of a relative's estate, and don't know how to handle this process, you should speak with a good Kansas City, Missouri wills and trusts attorney.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri is probably best known for its barbeque and Civil War history. "Kansas Citians" enjoy access to some of the best museums around. The Irish Museum and Cultural Center, the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, the Liberty and World War I Memorial, and the American Jazz Museum are all located within Kansas City limits. A number of outstanding examples of Art Deco style and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture can be found throughout the city. The Power and Light Building and Community Christian Church are just two examples.

Kansas City is passionate about food. Kansas City barbeque is best known for its molasses which gives a sweeter taste. Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q was opened in 1946 and serves as the standard in original Kansas City style barbeque. Most people know Kansas City as "KC" like Rich Davis' sauce sensation: KC Masterpiece. The Sprint Center opened in 2007 and hosts Kansas City Chiefs football and Royals major league baseball games. You may not be aware that Kansas City has over 200 fountains. Second most in the entire world after Rome, Italy. Country Club Plaza is designed to look like Seville, Spain and was the first to offer accommodations for people arriving by automobile. "The Plaza" was constructed in 1922 and today is known best for it's colored light display and upscale shopping.

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