Probate, Wills and Adoptions Glossary Terms

The person named in a will to be in charge of finalizing a deceased person's financial affairs after death, taking care of property and assets and paying debts and taxes until the balance of the estate is transferred to the heirs, according to the will. Executors handle probate court proceedings or hire an attorney to do so on behalf of the estate. The executor will need to find all property, open estate bank accounts to receive checks or funds owed during the probate process, pay estate bills from the estate fund until it is finalized. If there is no will, the person who handles these details is appointed by the court and called an administrator, and will be required to determine who the deceased person’s heirs are, according to state law.