Probate administration entails, at its most basic:
Submitting the Decedent’s will (if there is one) to the appropriate Probate Court (“the Court)”;
Obtaining Letters of administration (with or without a will) and an order for Probate;
Providing proper and timely Notice of Petition to administer the Decedent’s estate, and filing proof of same with the Court;
Attending the hearing on Petition, or telecourt appearance for same;
Filing Duties and Liabilities of Representative or Executor;
Obtaining a taxpayer identification numbers;
Notification to proper government agencies;
Obtaining and submitting proper documentation for the purpose of attaining authority over the Decedent’s assets;
Identifying and gaining control of the Decedent’s assets;
Maintaining the Decedent’s assets (maintaining the condition and safety of real and personal property; making appropriate investments; ensuring cash accounts are held in interest-bearing accounts);
Arranging preparation of final personal income tax returns, and for estate returns;
Preparing and submitting Inventory & Appraisal of Decedent’s date of death assets to probate referee;
Paying debts not requiring formal claims;
Approving or Rejecting creditor claims;
Filing and Inventory & Appraisal with the Court;
Keeping track of all income, receipts, costs and losses, and providing a formal accounting to the Court;
Preparing and submitting a Final Order with Accounting and Proposed Distribution, which also requires giving proper notice to beneficiaries and other necessary parties, and filing Proof of same;
Determining and paying statutorily calculated fees for attorney and representative/executor;
Attending hearing or telecourt on same;
Making court-ordered distributions and obtaining Receipts;
Filing Receipts;
Filing Petition for Discharge of Representative or Executor;
In addition to these tasks, handling Objections to, e.g., the Petition for Probate, or to a Claim rejection or to the Proposed Final distribution, may be necessary.