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

If the decedent wrote a will before his or her death in Cobleskill, New York, the process will be carried out according to the directives included in the will, assuming they are legitimate and enforceable.

Most often, a will names a person to serve as executor, whose job it is to guarantee that the estate is properly administered.

The executor is normally the person who stands to inherit the most money or property from the will, since this individualn will have the greatest incentive to see the probate and administration process to completion.

What if The Will Does Not Name an Executor?

If a will in Cobleskill, New York is silent as to who should be the executor, it is up to the court to determine who should serve in that capacity.

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

If the will doesn't name anyone as executor, or the individual who was named as executor is no longer living or cannot be found, anyone who has a direct interest in the will in Cobleskill, New York can apply to the court to be the executor.

Whoever is assigned to serve as executor, it is their job to act as the representative of the estate. Among other jobs, they have to account for the decedent's debts and assets, and inform any beneficiaries who might be unaware of the situation.

Can a Cobleskill, New York Estate Administration Attorney Help?

Some people are surprised when they find out they've been named the executor of a relative's estate. The responsibilities can seem daunting, but with the help of a seasoned Cobleskill, New York attorney, the process almost always goes pretty smoothly.