OT - Change of Executor

[RUBill]

Since this board is the best source of information, I figured I'd ask...

My mother passed away last Friday. Her will was written in 2004 and named one of my sisters as executrix. I have been handling my mother's financial affairs for the last ten year's and I am in the best position to administer the estate (it is not large or complicated by any means). My sister is willing to renounce her duties as executrix and my other siblings agree I should take over. My question - are there specific forms that need to be completed and notarized to make this happen or can we simply compose one letter from the named executrix renouncing the role and additional letters from the other brothers and sisters agreeing that I take over as executor?

 

[Knight Shift]

Since this board is the best source of information, I figured I'd ask...

My mother passed away last Friday. Her will was written in 2004 and named one of my sisters as executrix. I have been handling my mother's financial affairs for the last ten year's and I am in the best position to administer the estate (it is not large or complicated by any means). My sister is willing to renounce her duties as executrix and my other siblings agree I should take over. My question - are there specific forms that need to be completed and notarized to make this happen or can we simply compose one letter from the named executrix renouncing the role and additional letters from the other brothers and sisters agreeing that I take over as executor?

Sorry for your loss.

This is the best advice you will get here. Don't ask here. Contact the Surrogate's office in the County your mother lived. They will give you all the right answers. We just went through this with my father in law, and the County Surrogate was absolutely wonderful.

For Example, here is the form for Ocean County, from the Surrogate's Office:
http://www.co.ocean.nj.us//WebContentFiles//4436cbd7-f8be-4adb-b587-16015b90fc69.pdf

There are some other helpful forms here:
http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/Surrogates/ContentPage.aspx?ID=c02c3055-be98-48ac-a749-8302ff6444a0

 

[RutgersRaRa]

This isn't a definitive answer, but the executors, including successive executors, are frequently laid out in the will and attendant documents. If, for example, someone is deceased, unable or unwilling to perform the duties of executor, typically someone else is named within the will. If you aren't the named successor, then I'm not sure how that works. I'm in a somewhat similar situation right now with my mom's health rapidly declining, except I am the named trustee and have been taking care of everything for the last seven months. The amount of paperwork is frightening, even with everything else in order. Good luck.

 

[mdk02]

Sorry for your loss.

This is the best advice you will get here. Don't ask here. Contact the Surrogate's office in the County your mother lived. They will give you all the right answers. We just went through this with my father in law, and the County Surrogate was absolutely wonderful.

Having dealt with the Bergen County Surrogates office with respect to both my parents over the last few years, I can say it is one of the few efficient and functional branches of government in the state. IMHO that's clearly where you start.