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Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
For most people, a Last Will and Testament serves as the foundation of their estate plan.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
If you are just starting the estate planning process, you will most likely start by creating and executing a Will.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
As your estate grows, you will likely add additional estate planning documents and strategies to your comprehensive estate plan; however, your Last Will
and Testament will remain an important part of your estate plan.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
You already know that your Will can be used to distribute your estate assets when you are gone;
however, your Will does more than simply determine who will receive your estate assets when you die.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
You also appoint an Executor in your Will.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Your choice of Executor is more important than you likely realize.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
To understand the role of Executor you need to understand the difference between
a testate and an intestate estate.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
A testate estate is one in which the decedent left behind a valid Last Will
and Testament.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
An intestate estate is one in which the decedent died without executing a Will
prior to his/her death.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
In a testate estate the estate assets are distributed according to the terms of the
decedent’s Will.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
In an intestate estate the estate assets are distributed according to the state’s
intestate succession laws.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
When a decedent dies testate, the person appointed as the Executor in the Will becomes responsible for overseeing the probate of the
decedent’s estate.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
When a decedent dies intestate, someone must volunteer to be the Personal Representative of the estate. The
Personal Representative fulfills essentially the same role as the Executor.
If no one volunteers to be the Personal Representative the court must appoint someone.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Probate is the legal process, required by law, following the death of an individual.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Probate serves several purposes, including:
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Identifying, locating, and valuing estate assets.
Allowing creditors the opportunity to file claims against the estate.
Ensuring that taxes owed by the estate are paid.
Facilitating the transfer of estate assets to the new owners.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Formal probate typically takes a year or more to complete.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Most states offer a streamlined probate process for small estates that qualify.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
An Executor’s first duty is to submit the decedent’s Last Will and Testament to the
appropriate court to initiate the probate process.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
A petition to open probate will also need to be filed along with any other
required documents to get the probate process started.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Most Executors retain the services of an estate planning attorney to assist with
the legal aspects of probating an estate.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
An Executor must determine what assets the decedent owned at the time of death and then locate and secure those assets.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
A date of death value must also be obtained for all assets.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Professional appraisers may be needed to provide date of death values.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
The court may require the Executor to submit an inventory of all estate assets.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
An Executor must notify all creditors that probate is underway.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
Known creditors may be notified personally; however, unknown creditors must be notified by publishing notice
of probate in a local newspaper.
Creditors then have a limited period of time – which differs by state – to file a claim against the estate.
In Massachusetts, creditors have up to a year to file a claim while in New Hampshire a creditor only has 6
months.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
The Executor must review claims and approve or deny them.
Approved claims are paid out of estate assets if sufficient liquid assets exist.
The Executor must sell assets to raise funds, if necessary, to pay creditors.
If insufficient assets exist to pay all claims, claims are paid according to a statutory order of priority.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
If someone challenges the Will submitted to probate by filing a Will contest, the Executor must defend the decedent’s Will throughout the ensuing litigation.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
The probate process effectively stops until the Will contest is resolved because the outcome determines how
the estate is probated.
If the contestant is successful, the Will is declared invalid and the court must either find a valid Will to use to probate the estate or declare the estate an intestate
estate. In that case, the state’s intestate succession laws will dictate how estate assets are distributed.
If the contestant is not successful, the probate process continues using the Will originally submitted for
probate.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
An Executor must determine if the decedent and/or the estate owe any state or federal
taxes.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
All tax obligations (income taxes, state or federal gift and estate taxes etc.)
must be paid before estate assets can be transferred out of the estate.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
An Executor must ensure that all legal documents are executed in order to effectuate the transfer of assets out of the estate to the intended beneficiaries and/or
heirs of the estate.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
A final inventory may also be required by the court.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
People often appoint someone as the Executor in their Will without giving the appointment much
thought.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
A better understanding of just some of the duties and responsibilities of an Executor should help you to
understand why you should take the time to consider who you appoint as your Executor.
Although your Executor will likely retain an estate planning attorney to help probate your estate, your
Executor remains responsible for overseeing the probate process.
Choosing the right Executor can save your estate, and your loved ones, time and money while the wrong
Executor can hold up the probate process and deplete estate assets.
Call us: (603) 894-4141 (603) 870-9330
Londonderry Office: One Verani Way Londonderry, NH 03053 North Andover Office: 231 Sutton St, Suite 1B North Andover, MA 01845
Beverly Office: 900 Cummings Center, Suite 204-U Beverly, MA 01915 Nashua Office: 20 Trafalgar Sq, Suite 443 Nashua, NH 03063
