what are the duties of an executor of a will?

Question

When should it be read?

Answer 1

There is actually no requirement that a will be read at any time.

The basic duties of an executor are to file the will with the probate court, manage the estate while it is in probate, and, at the conclusion of probate to distribute the remaining assets in accordance with the terms of the will.

As executor, after you have filed the will with an application to admit it to probate, you will file an inventory of the estate and publish a notice of the opening of the estate in a newspaper of record. In addition, you will take charge of the property of the estate and collect the assets of the estates. Depending on the terms of the will, you might periodically need court permission for certain actions such as selling real estate or paying off major bills of the deceased. Depending on the complexity of the estate, you might be required to file annual settlements with the court regarding how you have managed the estate. When you have resolved all of the outstanding claims against the estate, you will file a final settlement and a proposed order distributing the assets. When you distribute the assets, you will get a receipt from the beneficiary and file it with the court.