Q: Does a personal representative have to go to court?
A: It depends on the nature of the estate. A PR only has to appear in a courtroom (in front of a judge) if there is a legal challenge or a legal claim arising from the estate. A PR will likely need to go to the courthouse to file various paperwork (i.e. go to the clerk's office). If there is nothing in dispute a PR's role is mostly a bureaucratic position in which the PR finds beneficiaries/creditors, files paperwork (with the court and to beneficiaries/creditors), secures/closes bank accounts, pays bills for the estate, etc. For simple, non-contested estate a lawyer is not required. A lawyer is recommended for a contested estate or if there is a question(s) related to the handling of the estate. Many banks (and probate lawyers) offer PR services for a fee.
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