How is a deceased estate usually passed out?

Question

Does it happend after a funeral? During the funeral? Is there like a big reading of the will where everyone stands and listens?

Answer 1

It is not the kind of public event which is beloved of film and TV script writers. There is plenty to do in connection with the funeral arrangements and it is unlikely that any real headway will be made with administering the estate. If there is a will, then the executors will apply for letters of probate from the probate registry and begin the very arduous task of tracing the assets of the deceased, gathering them together, paying tax due and, finally, distributing the assets and winding up the estate.

If there is no will, then the next of kin will apply for letters of administration and go through exactly the same process. However, if letters of administration are taken out, the strict rules of succession will have to be complied with. This means that family members in the order of precedence prescribed by the appropriate legislation will share the estate between them.

Answer 2

"reading of a will" is bad television. At some point after death, if there is a will, it is submitted to probate, the person named as executor "qualfies" with the court, bills are collected, assets determined, property liquidated if necessary, personal items dispursed according to the terms of the will, and usually after a year, all monies left over are distributed according to the terms of the will