What role does the personal representative play under a will?

The role the Personal Representative plays in a will is handling your estate. The Personal Representative (or Executor) will obtain the will, obtain copies of the death certificate, find and contact the beneficiaries, determine if there are any probate assets and file a petition with the probate court if necessary, inventory the assets, and more. They are entitled to receive a fee for these services from the money in the estate, and that amount can vary from state to state.

UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

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Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 18, 2023

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