The administrative role of the Executor or Administrator is to first to obtain the Grant from the Court. This is usually done with the help of lawyers.
The Executor or Administrator is expected to liaise with the lawyers in providing information and documents about the deceased and next-of-kin including the original will, death registration certificate, birth certificates, marriage certificates, identification documents of all beneficiaries, as well documents relating to the assets of the deceased (e.g. bank statements, insurance policies, vehicle log card, share certificates, titles deeds etc).
If lawyers are appointed, all Court documents will be prepared for the Executor or Administrator to sign in the presence of a commissioner for oaths before submission to the Court.
The duty of the Executor or Administrator as a trustee, generally, is to pay the debts of the estate and collect and distribute the assets according to the law and be accountable to the beneficiaries about the distribution of the assets.
what Disclosures does the court require during the grant of probate or grant of letters of administration process:
- The personal particulars of the deceased, the next-of-kin and beneficiaries;
- The list of assets of the deceased (including overseas assets) and the dollar value at the date of death (aka Schedule of Assets);
- Applying to Court for dispensation of sureties (for Grant Letters Of Administration);
- Signing an Administration Bond for the Court (for Grant Letters Of Administration); and
- Extracting the Grant of Probate/Grant Letters Of Administration.
