Dependable Advice for Executors and Administrators in Greater Kansas City
The probate attorneys of Kapke & Willerth, LLC, work with personal representatives and administrators responsible for decedents' estates in Missouri and Kansas. Experienced with all aspects of estate administration in both jurisdictions, our lawyers can frequently discharge all of the legal responsibilities of the executor named in the will or the administrator appointed to manage the estate of an intestate decedent. Contact us in Lee's Summit to learn more about our law firm's estate administration practice.
Understanding the Duties of an Executor or Administrator
The functions of a personal representative (executor) and an administrator are very similar. The only major difference is that a personal representative is guided by the terms of the Last Will and Testament, while an estate administrator follows the rules of intestate succession, which essentially serve as a default plan provided by state law to define inheritance priorities and rights in the absence of a will.
Mistakes in estate administration can generate additional expenses, delays and even liability on the part of the administrator, executor or personal representative. At Kapke & Willerth, we advise families about the steps to be taken and their timing in order to protect the family's interest through a smooth probate experience. We can also identify legal issues or practical complications that could delay the process, and take the initiative to resolve them.
Some of the main functions of the personal representative or administrator that we can handle include:
- Presentation of the will in a Missouri probate court or Kansas district court
- Notice to heirs, next of kin and known creditors of the decedent
- Transfer of assets that do not pass through probate, such as life insurance proceeds, survivors' benefits or certain bank accounts
- Inventory of the estate's assets
- Sale of real estate or personal property
- Resolution of claims against the estate
- Preparation of estate and fiduciary tax returns
- Interim and final reports as required by law
- Final distribution of assets to heirs or beneficiaries
Most of our estate administration clients reside in the Kansas City area, but many executors or administrators live out of state. We can handle their responsibilities long distance without any sacrifice of quality of representation or full information about the progress of the case.
Reliable Advice About Trust Administration in Kansas or Missouri
The attorneys of Kapke & Willerth also provide dependable service to trustees who have questions about their responsibilities under the Uniform Trust Act, especially in situations when a successor trustee succeeds to responsibilities under a revocable living trust upon the death of the grantor. Other situations we frequently see involve special needs trusts, family business trusts and life insurance trusts. Our advice can help avoid mistakes, misunderstandings with beneficiaries, or problems with conflict or interest or fiduciary duties.
Find out more about our probate practice. Contact the Lee's Summit estate administration attorneys at Kapke & Willerth.
