Responsibilities of the executor or administrator may include:

• gathering up and protecting the assets of the estate,
• obtaining information in regard to all beneficiaries named in the will and any other potential heirs,
• collecting and arranging for payment of debts of the estate,
• collecting any payments that are due to the estate such as insurance dividends, salaries, any other income;
• insuring that any money due under insurance policies is paid to the estate.
• opening a bank account to handle any required financial transactions on behalf of the estate;
• getting in touch with the employer or former employer of the decedent to verify whether the estate is owed any amounts for unpaid salary, benefits or insurance policies;
• providing any creditors with notice to make their claim from the estate;
• verifying any claims made against the estate of the decedent;
• approving or disapproving creditor’s claims,
• taking responsibility for any legal action in which the decedent was involved at the time of death;
• paying all valid debts of the decedent’s estate, such as funeral bills, outstanding taxes, liabilities to other creditors, and estate administration costs;
• making sure estate taxes are calculated, forms filed and tax payments made, and in all ways assisting the attorney for the estate.
• dealing with any valuations required on any of the assets left by the decedent;
• notifying relevant authorities and organizations of the person’s death (e.g. landlords, utility companies, social security etc.).
• protecting the assets and property of the decedent until they are disbursed to the beneficiaries;
• determining what each beneficiary gets from the decedent’s estate; and
• ensuring that the remainder of the estate is distributed in accordance with the wishes of the decedent.