YOUR LEGAL INSIGHT COVELLI & PISCIONE LAW OFFICES, P.C. EXECUTOR ERRORS: COMMON PROBATE PITFALLS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM You have been named as the Executor in the Last Will and Testament of a loved one. In the days following their passing, you face a myriad of challenges as you manage your own grief, interact with family & friends, and make final arrangements. In order to help you navigate this challenging time, the experienced Probate Attorneys at Covelli & Piscione Law Offices have compiled a list of common mistakes made by Executors and Administrators. The most common pitfall we encounter is one that may have significant financial and legal ramifications-waiting too long to open the Estate. Executors and Administrators who wait too long to open the Estate face some additional hurdles preventing an effective Estate Administration. Not only can delayed administration make an Estate ineligible for the Inheritance Tax Discount provided for payments made within ninety (90) days of the date of death, but it can also result in the assessment of interest and penalties if taxes and other outstanding obligations are not addressed in a timely fashion. Certain tax deductions may also be lost or waived. Often, waiting too long to open an Estate is a result of the second pitfall, which is attempting to administer Estate Assets without formally opening an Estate. While some Estates can be administered through a Small Estate Petition or without an Estate being opened at all, it is best to consult an experienced Probate Attorney to assist you in making that determination. Too often, we encounter the issue of real estate titled in the name of a decedent who passed away several years ago, which causes problems that may be difficult and costly to resolve. Distributing Property too early is another pitfall that Executors and Administrators sometimes encounter. Often, pressure from other heirs coupled with a desire to expedite the Estate Probate process, can lead Executors and Administrators to distribute the entire Estate Property too soon. Creditors have one year from the date of advertising to file claims against the Estate. There can also be outstanding Inheritance Tax or Income Tax liability owed from the Estate. If the proceeds of the Estate are distributed too early, it can be difficult to obtain reimbursement from heirs in order to address these valid expenses. Failing to keep records of expenditures incurred on behalf of the Estate is another common pitfall. Many Executors advance costs or incur out-of-pocket expenses in the Administration of the Estate without realizing that they may be entitled to reimbursement of the funds. In some instances, the expenses may also qualify as deductions on the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return. An experienced Probate Attorney can help you avoid these Pitfalls and more. At Covelli & Piscione Law Offices, we have a team of experienced Estate Probate Professionals to assist in every aspect of the Probate Process. Officia Community Choice Awards 2025 best COVELLI PISCIONE GOLD TRIBE ALLEGHENY SOUTH WEST LAW OFFICES, P.C. Attorney Natalie Piscione is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has been providing Estate Planning and Estate Administration legal services for nine years. The team of attorneys at Covelli & Piscione Law Offices are experiences in several areas of the law. For more information, call 412-653-5000 or visit, covellilaw.com FREE Consultation | Call Today! 412-653-5000 ADVERTISEMENT adno=404290 YOUR LEGAL INSIGHT COVELLI & PISCIONE LAW OFFICES , P.C. EXECUTOR ERRORS : COMMON PROBATE PITFALLS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM You have been named as the Executor in the Last Will and Testament of a loved one . In the days following their passing , you face a myriad of challenges as you manage your own grief , interact with family & friends , and make final arrangements . In order to help you navigate this challenging time , the experienced Probate Attorneys at Covelli & Piscione Law Offices have compiled a list of common mistakes made by Executors and Administrators . The most common pitfall we encounter is one that may have significant financial and legal ramifications - waiting too long to open the Estate . Executors and Administrators who wait too long to open the Estate face some additional hurdles preventing an effective Estate Administration . Not only can delayed administration make an Estate ineligible for the Inheritance Tax Discount provided for payments made within ninety ( 90 ) days of the date of death , but it can also result in the assessment of interest and penalties if taxes and other outstanding obligations are not addressed in a timely fashion . Certain tax deductions may also be lost or waived . Often , waiting too long to open an Estate is a result of the second pitfall , which is attempting to administer Estate Assets without formally opening an Estate . While some Estates can be administered through a Small Estate Petition or without an Estate being opened at all , it is best to consult an experienced Probate Attorney to assist you in making that determination . Too often , we encounter the issue of real estate titled in the name of a decedent who passed away several years ago , which causes problems that may be difficult and costly to resolve . Distributing Property too early is another pitfall that Executors and Administrators sometimes encounter . Often , pressure from other heirs coupled with a desire to expedite the Estate Probate process , can lead Executors and Administrators to distribute the entire Estate Property too soon . Creditors have one year from the date of advertising to file claims against the Estate . There can also be outstanding Inheritance Tax or Income Tax liability owed from the Estate . If the proceeds of the Estate are distributed too early , it can be difficult to obtain reimbursement from heirs in order to address these valid expenses . Failing to keep records of expenditures incurred on behalf of the Estate is another common pitfall . Many Executors advance costs or incur out - of - pocket expenses in the Administration of the Estate without realizing that they may be entitled to reimbursement of the funds . In some instances , the expenses may also qualify as deductions on the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return . An experienced Probate Attorney can help you avoid these Pitfalls and more . At Covelli & Piscione Law Offices , we have a team of experienced Estate Probate Professionals to assist in every aspect of the Probate Process . Officia Community Choice Awards 2025 best COVELLI PISCIONE GOLD TRIBE ALLEGHENY SOUTH WEST LAW OFFICES , P.C. Attorney Natalie Piscione is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has been providing Estate Planning and Estate Administration legal services for nine years . The team of attorneys at Covelli & Piscione Law Offices are experiences in several areas of the law . For more information , call 412-653-5000 or visit , covellilaw.com FREE Consultation | Call Today ! 412-653-5000 ADVERTISEMENT adno = 404290