INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATE

In a standard estate, the Personal Representative is required to make periodic reports to the court regarding the assets and liabilities of the estate and seek court approval for all major actions of the estate such the hiring of consultants (i.e., attorneys or accoutants) and the distribution of assets to heirs. In an estate which is independently administered, the Personal Representative typically makes fewer reports to the court and does not seek authorization prior to taking actions within his or her authority. The advantage of independent administration is that it is quicker and saves administrative expense. A Personal Representative, unless he or she happens to be an attorney, would likely be required to hire an attorney paid by the estate to make the additional reports and request permission to take various actions. However, independent adminstration, by its nature, involves less supervision of the Personal Representative.