What Do You Need To Know About The Duties of an Executor? The prospects of being appointed Executor of an estate can be overwhelming. However, armed with the proper knowledge, almost anyone can carry out the formal duties required by the law.

This program is a practical, step-by-step guide to the basics of settling an estate and includes the various duties that must be performed by the estate's Executor.

Topics Covered:
- What is an Executor?
- Preliminary Steps to Take Upon Death
- Appraising the Estate
- Collecting Assets and Information
- Paying Debts & Claims Against the Estate
- Managing the Estate
- Determining & Paying All Taxes
- Distributing the Estate

The program also discusses Executor compensation, and most importantly, what a person's options are if they do not wish to become the Executor of an estate, even if they are formally named as one in someone's will.

"Patricia Moody, a court videographer and guardian ad litem for the state of South Carolina, narrates this description of the responsibilities of an executor of an estate. She defines key terms and walks viewers through the process involved in getting an estate settled. Moody reviews what must be done and how to do it – including getting the estate appraised, gathering the assets, paying the applicable debts and taxes, and managing the final distribution. She covers when to seek the help of an attorney and cautions viewers about variations in state laws that effect administration. There is also a discussion about what can be done if one wants to refuse appointment as an executor and practical tips to avoid common problems in estate administration."
- The Library Journal