What happens to my Will after my death?

Except in the case of a very modest estate, as soon as possible after your death, the individual appointed as the Executor of your Will must submit the original Will to the appropriate court for probate. The Executor is also required to formally notify beneficiaries and heirs of the estate as well as creditors that probate is underway. Creditor claims are reviewed and paid if approved. Any federal (and/or state if applicable) gift and estate taxes due must also be paid. Eventually, the terms of your Will are used to determine how the remaining estate assets are distributed. This process often takes a year or longer.