Losing a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of having to make important financial decisions while grieving. For many people, the duties and responsibilities of probating a loved one’s estate can feel overwhelming. The probate process is time-consuming, complicated, and, quite often, extremely frustrating. If you have been named as an executor or personal representative and are tasked with settling an estate through probate, you’ll want to avoid these common mistakes. Handling assets incorrectly One of the first things an executor or personal representative must do is secure all of the decedent’s assets. Accomplishing this requires taking different steps for different types of assets. For example, financial accounts may simply need to be closed, whereas real property (such as a house) might require making sure the property is secure and arranging for its maintenance. Categorizing assets incorrectly Some assets do not have to go through probate. When
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