In Fruitland, Maryland, probate is the process in which a court validates or voids a will.

As part of the probate procedure, the court in Fruitland, Maryland will determine the validity of the will, inventory the decedent's assets and debts, then, assuming everything is found to be in order, distribute the estate according to the will.

The executor of the estate is frequently named in the will. If not, the probate court in Fruitland, Maryland will name will appoint a person to serve as executor. This is typically the person who stands to inherit the most under the will.

The executor is the person 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 incitement to help the process go as quickly as possible, so they can get their inheritance.

Duties of the Executor in Fruitland, Maryland

The executor has several duties concerning the will. First of all, they have to actually initiate the probate proceedings with the court, and this procedure has to be finished before the will takes effect.

Additionally, it's the executor's job to notify all involved parties that the person who made the will has died. "Interested parties" are usually people who are named in the will, or who would inherit the estate if the decedent had died without a will.

The executor will also have to collect 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.

Because the executor serves as the living symbol of the decedent's estate, they are solely responsible for proving the validity of the will. This is a lot of work, but because executors are typically chosen based on how much they stand to inherit from a will once its validity is confirmed, they have a good incentive to see the process to completion.

How Can A Fruitland, Maryland Lawyer Help?

Because of the difficulties involved in probate, it would be smart to hire a knowledgeable Fruitland, Maryland probate lawyer, especially if you are the executor of an estate and unsure how to proceed.