Estate Administration: As Executor, Do I Have to File a Formal Account Seeking Court Approval to Close Out the Affairs of the Estate?

A lawyer and old woman discussing Estate Administration

No.  Absent a contested issue and/or disagreement with the beneficiaries, the preferred approach is for the executor and beneficiaries to amicably enter into an informal Family Settlement Agreement.  The executor provides the beneficiaries with an informal accounting regarding the affairs of the estate, including identifying the assets, debts, and expenses of the estate (including attorney fees and executor’s commissions).  This usually includes providing a copy of the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return and the Department of Revenue’s review of the Return.  This also includes a schedule of distribution indicating the share each beneficiary shall receive.

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Considerations For Thoughtful Estate Planning

man working on an estate plan

When contemplating an estate plan it is important to remember that a Last Will and Testament is only one tool in the overall approach to a successful estate plan.  Assets distributed pursuant to a decedent’s will are assets in the sole name of the decedent at the time of death.  There are other methods of distributing wealth in the event of death.  Assets distributed “outside” the will are commonly referred to as “non-probate” assets.  Some examples of non-probate assets are:

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