Estate Administration

Estate administration covers the necessary tasks to navigate a deceased person's estate through probate or through a non-probate administration of a trust. The role of an attorney is that of a legal advisor and procedural navigator to the deceased's personal representative and/or successor trustee. It can be a confusing, draining, and difficult process for someone who has been handed such responsibilities because the one who gets chosen for that role was probably close to the recently departed. What's more, that person may not be altogether well-versed in the responsibilities of a personal representative or trustee.

My role in estate administration is to make the process make sense. I want my clients to be informed of the procedures before them. An informed client is going to be comfortable with the tasks ahead and that much more effective. I've found that maintaining an open and communicative relationship with clients has helped in every area of the legal practice, and that is especially true when it comes to administering estates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The difference between administrator and executor is often just in title only. Both are considered a personal representative of the estate in much the same way. In practice, they are differentiated in how they got to be in that role and what will direct that person on how to distribute the assets of the deceased.

An administrator is a person appointed by the court when the deceased died without a will (known as dying "intestate"). An administrator will need to go in front of a judge and be approved by the estate beneficiaries to receive their letters of appointment. That administrator is then going to have to follow the code of their jurisdiction to manage the distribution of the estate assets because the deceased did not have a will directing them on how to handle the estate's affairs.

An executor is a person who the court acknowledges as the personal representative upon a deceased person's will being filed to probate. The will informs the court of the deceased's preference, and the court will honor that. What's more, the will instructs the executor on how to manage much of the affairs of the estate. An executor will still need to understand what the code of their jurisdiction when the will contains gaps or to meet the estate administration's procedural requirements.

The quickest probate administration would be approximately eight months. That is the case for an estate that is not all that complex, which is an exception more than it is the norm. More often than not, probate can take 12+ months to afford time for creditors to be notified and respond, assets and beneficiaries to be located, taxes to be reviewed and filed, and any other matters that may pop up in between.

Jeff was very flexible and understanding. This was my first time ever needing a lawyer (real estate issue) and he took the time to explain the process and was quick in responding to my questions. I wouldn’t hesitate in calling Jeff Perkins again should I ever need more legal services.

C. Walker

Jeff is super easy to work with, very responsive, and very knowledgeable! I requested services in an industry that he was not as familiar with, and he put the work in to learn. Would recommend for sure.

D. Martin

Jeff is honest, responsive and very upfront. He made me feel very at ease when discussing my my legal needs and general questions.

J. Wyland

I highly recommend Jeff Perkins. He is knowledgeable and trustworthy. If you’re looking for sound legal expertise and peace of mind, talk to Jeff! You couldn’t ask for better representation.

G. Tran

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Estate Administration

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