Information for Personal Representatives

Our Representation of a Personal Representative During the Administration of an Estate

The steps involved in administering an estate are as different and unpredictable as the people involved. Estate administration, after all, is nothing more (or less) than the settlement of the affairs of a deceased individual whose habits, assets and problems are unique. Some aspects of administering a decedent’s affairs, however, can be described in general terms. This memorandum outlines estate administration in an effort to respond to frequently asked questions.

Probate
Your Estate Administration Team
Timetable for Administration
Taxes
Other Jurisdictions
Asset Management and Distribution
Fees
Your Duty and Ours

The most important ingredient in successful and cost-effective estate administration is open and forthright communication between the personal representative and counsel. When we represent a personal representative, we encourage him or her to feel free to contact us if he or she has any questions or any concerns at any time during the course of the administration of the estate, whether such questions or concerns arise in response to written materials that we provide or for any other reason. We welcome any opportunity to serve our clients.

The law firm’s state-wide practice is restricted to drafting wills and trusts of all types, advising individuals on matters of gift tax, estate tax, generation skipping transfer tax and fiduciary tax, probating estates, administering trusts, advising individuals on business succession planning and wealth preservation, representing parties in probate and trust litigation matters, counseling individuals involved in guardianship and conservatorship matters and advising charitable organizations.

This web site is for general information purposes only and is not intended as advertising. The information presented here is not intended to be relied on as legal advice. If you have a question about a point of law as applied to particular facts, please consult legal counsel. The authors are members of the Maine bar. Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Epstein & O'Donovan, LLP