Estate Settlement Services

We provide a step-by-step process of settling the estate of your loved one. This includes, but is not limited to, review of all legal documents, obtaining death certificates, opening probate proceedings, obtaining letters of administration/letters testamentary, notifying family and other beneficiaries of the estate. In addition to the steps above, we marshal all financial, real property and personal property assets. We create an inventory of assets and liabilities. Open an estate financial account, access safe deposit boxes, process life insurance and annuity claims, collect income from rentals, interest/dividend, and royalties depending on the origin of the royalty. Notify the VA, Social Security Administration, and decedent’s employer. Re-title real property, auto, boats and re-register intangible assets. This service also includes arranging appraisals for real, business and personal property. Review adequacy of property and liability insurance. Arrange for storage and security of real and personal property. We settle debts and claims, maintain full records and accountings, pay all final costs of the estate, distribute the personal property according to the Will, make distributions to the heirs, obtain releases and finally, close the estate.

Fundamentally, it is the Personal Representative (or Executor) responsibility to manage and wind down the deceased person's estate, resolving any debts, distributing assets to heirs, and filing legal paperwork.

Here is a brief checklist of items we would be handling as a fiduciary…

1. Inventory of Assets/Debts/Expenses— Find and organize all estate assets and debts, including burial expenses.

2. Court Appointment — Get appointed by the court (if going through probate)

3. Legal Notifications — Notify friends and family, social security, banks, credit cards, etc.

4. Administer the Estate — Maintain and care for assets; plan asset disposition

5. If Estate has Debt — Pay off debts in full, or arrange for debt forgiveness

7. Asset Distribution to Heirs of the Estate – Distributions to heirs and charities are processed in a reasonable time frame according to the terms in the Will

6. File Federal, State and Possibly Estate Taxes — Submit relevant tax returns: decedent income, estate income, inheritance, etc.

8. Final Accounting — Provide a final accounting to all qualified beneficiaries of the estate, which include all assets and expenses, under the direction of the the NM Uniform Probate Code