can a executor of a will use a lawyer for advise and who pays the lawyer

by Adriana Bashirian 10 min read

The executor can apply to the court to have attorney’s fees for work that is done on the executor’s behalf to be paid for by the estate out of the funds that are meant to go to that beneficiary (this is because of the famous New York court ruling in the Matter of Hyde).

Full Answer

Can an executor pay their attorney with estate funds?

Many executors decide, sometime during the process of winding up an estate, that they could use some legal advice from a lawyer who's familiar with local probate procedure . But if you're handling an estate that's straightforward and not too large, you may find that you can get by just fine without professional help.

Why hire an executor attorney in New York?

Jun 15, 2016 · The executor can apply to the court to have attorney’s fees for work that is done on the executor’s behalf to be paid for by the estate out of the funds that are meant to go to that beneficiary (this is because of the famous New York court ruling in the Matter of Hyde).

What can an executor of an estate do?

Jul 01, 2020 · The executor can be removed by the judge on the case. The court will force the executor to return the money to the estate or pay restitution to the beneficiaries of the estate. The court might order the executor to pay for his own attorneys’ fees as opposed to using estate funds to pay for his attorney’s fees. The judge may even order the executor to pay the …

Can an executor wind up an estate without a lawyer?

Mar 15, 2016 · The attorney that you and the other heirs and legatees hire will be able to help you determine whether a court will require the executor to pay for his attorney with his own funds and not with Estate funds. Generally, the Executor's attorney is paid from the Estate. However, there are exceptions to this rule. More.

How long does an executor have to settle an estate in North Carolina?

You should expect it to take a minimum of six months to a year to settle an estate because of the legal notice requirements and time that creditors have to submit claims against the estate. Creditors have 90 days from the first publication date of the notice of probate.

What an executor Cannot do UK?

Before Probate, an Executor cannot: Start executing the Will before the Testator (creator of the Will) has died. Sign a Will on behalf of the Testator. Start administering the Estate before being officially appointed as Executor by law.

What powers do executors of wills have?

What is an executor of a will?registering the death.arranging the funeral.valuing the estate.paying any inheritance tax.applying for probate.sorting the deceased's finances.placing a deceased estates notice.distributing the estate.More items...

What happens if an executor of a will does not want to act?

If you decide that you don't want to act as an Executor, you can renounce your role or ask someone else to do it for you. This could be a friend, family member or a probate solicitor.Sep 16, 2021

Michael Thomas Foster

You need to contact an attorney focused in will, trusts and probate as soon as possible. He can review the facts of your situation to determine what to do next. The executor can be ordered by the court to reimburse the estate for misappropriated expenditures and the court has authority to approve attorney fees for either side from the estate.

Sarah Elizabeth Buck

The attorney that you and the other heirs and legatees hire will be able to help you determine whether a court will require the executor to pay for his attorney with his own funds and not with Estate funds. Generally, the Executor's attorney is paid from the Estate. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

James Charles Shields

Executor may use estate resources to execute duites of executor. and defend estate. This may include litigating with beneficiaries.

Walter Chester Zaremba

You mention wasting the assets of the estate as one of the reasons you want the Executor removed. This is certainly one of the grounds for removal of an Executor but you must be able to proved the charge. If you can then the Executor could even be charged with reimbursing the estate for this waste. Not an easy task, however.

Gary Roger Waitzman

The answer depends on the provisions in the will. However as a general rule if the personal representative is being sued in that capacity, he does have the right to use funds from the estate to pay for his defense. You should immediately consult with an estate planning attorney in your area to determine the best course of action.

Peter L. Klenk

If you are the beneficiary of the estate, you have the right to object to every estate expense if it reduces your inheritance. You can force the issue by filing a petition for accounting, but you should retain an attorney who regularly does Surrogates Court litigation to advise you.

David Joseph Callahan III

The question of who the attorney truly represents is a murky one across the country. Most scholars believe that the attorney represents the estate and not the personal representative. However, there is a large sub-sect that believes that this is not the case.

Gary B. Garland

The attorney represents the Executor, not the beneficiaries at large. The Estate pays. The Executor must follow the terms of the Will and comply with the law, and the attorney is there to counsel and assure the Executor that he/she does, but the Executor has discretion - i.e.

What is the importance of choosing an executor?

Remember that choosing your executor wisely is just as important as making your Last Will and Testament in the first place. The person you choose bears grave responsibilities that will impact your family and other heirs after you die. This is educational information and not intended to provide legal advice.

Can an attorney be an executor?

Attorney as executor. Per the American Bar Association, if you feel that none of your family members or friends possess the requisite financial skills to properly act as your executor, you may wish to designate your attorney instead .

What can an executor do?

As the executor of an estate, you are responsible for managing the probate process, which means you’ll be interacting with the probate court and making decisions about the handling of probate assets. You will: Open probate with the court. Identify the deceased’s assets. Provide notice to heirs and interested parties.

What happens if a person dies without a will?

If the deceased died without a signed will, the deceased died without a will. No one else can sign it on their behalf, and the estate will be managed in accordance with that state’s laws of intestate succession. Take action to manage the estate prior to being appointed as executor by the court.

Can an executor do anything?

So an executor can't do anything that intentionally harms the interests of the beneficiaries. As an executor, you cannot: Do anything to carry out the will before the testator (the creator of the will) passes away. Neither the executor nor the beneficiaries have any rights with regard to the estate before the testator passes away.

Can a beneficiary contest a will?

He can file a petition with the court contesting the will if he’s an heir-at-law, but you have no authority to make changes to the will. When beneficiaries or heirs contest the will, it’s never fun for the executor. However, it’s their right to do so, and you can’t stop them.

Can an executor act against a will?

There are limits on what an executor can and cannot do. If you’ve been named an executor, a couple basic rules of thumb are that you can’t do anything that disregards the provisions in the will, and you can’t act against the interests of any of the beneficiaries. Sounds pretty straightforward, right?

What happens if a will does not name an executor?

If the will does not name an executor, then the probate court or a registrar of wills must appoint an administrator to carry out the task. Both executors and administrators are informally known as "personal representatives.". Their role is different from that of an attorney, who represents the interests of the estate in probate court ...

What is the legal process for a will?

To be legal, a will must be signed and witnessed. If the will appoints an executor, that individual is responsible for carrying out the will's instructions. That means paying any valid claims against the estate and transferring assets to the heirs named in the document. If the will does not name an executor, then the probate court or a registrar of wills must appoint an administrator to carry out the task. Both executors and administrators are informally known as "personal representatives." Their role is different from that of an attorney, who represents the interests of the estate in probate court and in any litigation that may arise.

What is probate in a will?

A will must go through probate, meaning a civil court approves the document and holds authority over the actions of the executor. By state laws, executors and attorneys involved in the probate process are entitled to reasonable compensation for their work. The fees are paid out of the estate's assets.

Is an executor of a will a heir?

The executor may be an individual (and heir) named in the will. If that is the case, any compensation paid by the estate as an executor's fee is subject to personal income tax, both state and federal. If the estate is large enough to be subject to federal estate tax, as well as state inheritance tax, then declining the fee may be to the executor's financial advantage -- even if the executor's fee is a deductible expense. Unless they are named as heirs, attorneys don't have a choice in the matter; any fees they collect are declared as business income and subject to income tax.#N#Read More: Can an Executor of a Will Be Responsible for the Deceased's Taxes?

What is the trustee act?

T.23. The legislation provides. 23.1. (1) A trustee who is of the opinion that an expense would be properly incurred in carrying out the trust may, (a) pay the expense directly from the trust property ; or.

Do trustees have to pay expenses?

Most trustees do not have the resources to pay the expenses themselves. Nor should they have to. As codified by section 23.1 of the Trustee Act, the courts have long held that trustees are entitled to be indemnified for all costs, including legal costs, which they have reasonably incurred.