Can Your Nominated Personal Representative Be Trusted?

by | Aug 24, 2021

Cristin Gerczak, Esq.
August, 24, 2021

You want to be a responsible person and prepare an estate plan to protect your loved ones.  Part of this process is to choose someone that will serve as your Personal Representative. 

Your Personal Representative is the person who will administer your probate estate and make sure that any assets are successfully distributed to your trust or beneficiaries. Typically, people will choose a family member for this role.

You should be mindful of a few things to consider before jumping into the decision of who will serve as your personal representative, however.

Questions to Ask Before Naming Someone Your Personal Representative

Here are just a few questions to cover:

  • Does that person have the ability to handle all of the responsibilities that a personal representative must carry out? 
  • Do they have the time and mental energy for such a position with all that may be going on in their life already? 
  • Will that person administer your estate in the best interest of the beneficiaries or is there a possibility that they may end up unscrupulous once money is on the table — especially if they are also a beneficiary?  

It’s sad that these questions must be asked, but to ensure your heirs receive the fullest benefit of your estate, you need truthful answers. Not having the right person can result in a lot of extra court, costs, and conflict (litigation).

Make Sure You Know Everything Required Before Choosing a Personal Representative

Don’t just choose the person you think you should for the fiduciary role of personal representative. It’s a big job. Check out our post-mortem checklist to get an idea of what will be required of the person you nominate. 

It’s important for you and your loved ones to ensure a smooth transition of estate assets. And it’s equally important that your loved ones receive the fullest benefit. That’s the reason you’ve made the decision to prepare an estate plan.

We’ll help you achieve your estate planning goals and ensure you feel accomplished and confident. We can help you navigate this appointment and understand the motives of your estate planning goals to ensure you have the best plan in place for everyone.  

Give yourself peace of mind by having chosen the right personal representative. Contact us today to get started. 

 

Author:
Cristin Gerczak, Esq.
Haimo Law

Strategic Planning With Purpose®
Email: cgerczak@haimolaw.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/haimolawtv

 

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