Page 20 - Ultimate Guide to Estate Planning

Since the judge is determining where the assets
are going to go and how they are going to be

disposed of, it is a public process. Records are
filed with the court and attorneys are normally
hired to prosecute the probate proceeding. A
personal representative is appointed by the
court as referenced by the will. The personal

representative gathers the assets,

liquidates them, pays the bills and, eventually,
distributes the assets to the persons listed as

heirs by the will.

19