1. Find the Will and Obtain Death Certificates

Your first tasks will be locating the will of your loved one and getting certified copies of the death certificate. 

2. Determine If Probate Is Necessary

Whether probate is necessary often depends upon the size and structure of the estate. 

3. Decide If You Need a Lawyer

Hiring an attorney to manage significant tax liabilities, creditors and the possibility for disputes among beneficiaries and other complications can be valuable.

4. File the Will and Notify Beneficiaries

File the will in the local probate court and ask the court to confirm you as fiduciary. Once you have been appointed, Adit Estate Services will begin working with you to determine current needs and desired outcomes. 

5. Locate and Manage Assets

Depending on the size and complexity of an estate, the process of locating and securing the deceased persons assets and sensibly managing them during probate and beyond can exceed the capacity of an individual to handle. Adit Estate Services will tailor a care plan to your needs and obligations. 

6. Handle Day-to-Day Details

A home needs care, a legacy needs curation. Adit Estate Services will develop a plan to suit you needs and obligations at your desired level of involvement to maintain the deceased's provenance and legacy for future generations of enjoy. 

8. Pay Expenses and Taxes

Taxes and other expenses such as mortgage payments, insurance premiums, utility bills and upkeep cost will continue to be paid. Adit Estate Services will organize and consolidate expenses associated with contracted task and track for cost basis reporting. Adit's accounting partners can be brought in to navigate complex estate financial obligations as needed.

10. Distribute Property

This is the step everyone has been waiting for. As executor, you'll supervise the distribution of possessions, property and financial instruments to the people or organizations named in the will. It is important to maintain if not increase the value of inheritance during probate via thoughtful care and expert guidance. At Adit Estate Services we strive to enhance value so all beneficiaries can cherish what was left to them. 

11. Close the Estate

When debts and taxes have been paid and all the possessions and property distributed to the beneficiaries, you can ask the probate court to formally close the estate. Adit Estate Services will have turned over care to designated parties with detailed records.