What is estate administration?

Estate administration is the process of settling the estate of someone who has passed away. It includes gathering and appraising all the assets of the deceased, paying off any debts, and then distributing the remaining assets according to the deceased’s wishes or state law. In Texas, the Probate Code governs estate administration. It lays out the procedures for a Personal Representative to follow in settling an estate. The Personal Representative is responsible for assembling the assets of the deceased, paying the creditors, and filing all the necessary tax returns. The Personal Representative may also have to handle matters such as filing inheritance tax returns, depending on the size of the estate. After all of this has been taken care of, the Personal Representative will distribute any remaining assets according to the wishes of the deceased. If there is no will, the laws of intestate succession apply, meaning the assets will be distributed according to state law. The entire process of estate administration can be complicated and require the assistance of an attorney.

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What is estate administration?

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