PLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE

Executor and personal representative duties

An executor or administrator may owe fiduciary duties to the estate and interested parties, including careful recordkeeping and following court requirements.

In brief

An executor or administrator may owe fiduciary duties to the estate and interested parties, including careful recordkeeping and following court requirements.

What to do next

  • Confirm formal appointment and authority
  • Identify and protect estate assets
  • Track receipts, expenses and communications
  • Follow court and creditor notice rules
  • Obtain advice before distributions or disputed decisions

Questions worth asking

Who has legal authority? Which assets are involved? Which state’s law applies? Are there court deadlines, tax issues, or disagreements that require professional advice?

Where to go from here

Use the state directory to locate the relevant jurisdiction and verify current requirements with official courts or government agencies. The free tools can help organize information before a professional appointment.