Serving as someone’s Pennsylvania executor requires a high degree of responsibility. You have an obligation to take care of certain matters within a particular timeframe, and you may also have to notify particular parties while you work to settle the decedent’s estate.
According to AARP, the executor role is not an easy one, and there is often considerable red tape involved. However, when someone names you his or her executor, there are certain things you might figure out while he or she is still living to make your job easier. More specifically, here are three things you should know when you agree to act as someone’s executor.
1. Where to find his or her will
You need to know where to find the original will the decedent drafted before passing. If an attorney has it, you need to know who that attorney is and how to get a hold of him or her. If the will writer stored it online somewhere, you need to know how to access it.
2. What secrets the decedent may have
The person who names you executor may have certain things he or she wants to keep private after death. For example, he or she may have photos, love letters or similar belongings the individual wants to keep private even in death and may want you to do something specific to dispose of such secrets.
3. How to access your decedent’s accounts
Tying up loose ends for the party that names you executor may require you to access his or her bank or online accounts, and you may need to get passwords to do this.
Knowing where your decedent’s will is, how to access personal accounts and how to handle his or her sensitive information should make the executor role easier and more navigable.
