In Plainfield, Connecticut, probate is the process through which a Court decides if a will is valid or not.

As part of the probate procedure, the court in Plainfield, Connecticut will decide the validity of the will, inventory the decedent's assets and debts, then, assuming everything is deemed to be in order, distribute the estate according to the will.

Most wills name a particular person as the executor of the estate, but sometimes they don't, or the named executor is deceased, out of the court's jurisdiction, or otherwise inadequate to serve in this capacity. In these situations, a Plainfield, Connecticut probate court has to assign one.

The executor is the individual who initiates probate proceedings. The person who stands to inherit the most from the will is typically appointed the executor, because they will have the most incentive to help the process go as quickly as possible, so they can get their inheritance.

Duties of the Executor in Plainfield, Connecticut

The executor has many duties regarding the will. First, they have to truly initiate the probate proceedings, which must be done before the will is effectuated.

They additionally are obligated to provide notice to the people with a direct interest in the estate that the decedent has died, typically by filing a death certificate.

There may be numerous people who are entitled to take under a testator's will, with which the testator may have fallout out of touch years ago. This can make them challenging to find, but they need to be found, nonetheless. To that end, the executor is obliged to make a list of everyone who might be able to inherit, whether they're named in the will, or closely related to the testator. Furthermore, they have to make known all of the decedent's major assets and debts.

Lastly, executors have to actually put forth the effort to establish that a will is valid. As the sole legal representative of the estate, this is their job, and is obligated for them to inherit, giving them an incentive.

How Can A Plainfield, Connecticut Lawyer Help?

Because of the difficulties involved in probate, it would be a reliable idea to consult with and retain a Plainfield, Connecticut attorney who specializes in probate, especially if you are the executor of an estate.