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Probate Law: Estate Administration

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge of Probate Law, specifically focusing on Estate Administration.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: probate law estate administration law
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What is the primary purpose of probate?

  1. To distribute the deceased person's assets to their heirs.

  2. To pay off the deceased person's debts.

  3. To determine the validity of the deceased person's will.

  4. To appoint a personal representative for the deceased person's estate.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Probate is the legal process of determining the validity of a will and distributing the deceased person's assets according to the will or, if there is no will, according to the laws of intestacy.

Who is responsible for filing a petition for probate?

  1. The deceased person's spouse.

  2. The deceased person's children.

  3. The deceased person's personal representative.

  4. The deceased person's creditors.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The personal representative is the person appointed by the court to administer the deceased person's estate. They are responsible for filing the petition for probate and carrying out the probate process.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

  1. A will is a legal document that distributes the deceased person's assets after death, while a trust is a legal document that transfers assets to a trustee to manage for the benefit of another person.

  2. A will is a public document, while a trust is a private document.

  3. A will can be changed at any time, while a trust cannot be changed once it is created.

  4. A will is only valid if it is signed by two witnesses, while a trust does not require any witnesses.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A will is a legal document that distributes the deceased person's assets after death. A trust is a legal document that transfers assets to a trustee to manage for the benefit of another person.

What is the role of the personal representative in estate administration?

  1. To manage the deceased person's assets.

  2. To pay off the deceased person's debts.

  3. To distribute the deceased person's assets to their heirs.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The personal representative is responsible for managing the deceased person's assets, paying off their debts, and distributing their assets to their heirs.

What is the difference between probate and administration?

  1. Probate is the process of distributing the deceased person's assets according to their will, while administration is the process of distributing the deceased person's assets according to the laws of intestacy.

  2. Probate is the process of determining the validity of the deceased person's will, while administration is the process of carrying out the terms of the will.

  3. Probate is a public process, while administration is a private process.

  4. Probate is only required if the deceased person had a will, while administration is required regardless of whether the deceased person had a will.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Probate is the process of determining the validity of the deceased person's will. Administration is the process of carrying out the terms of the will.

What is the difference between a testate and an intestate estate?

  1. A testate estate is an estate where the deceased person died with a will, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died without a will.

  2. A testate estate is an estate where the deceased person's assets are distributed according to their will, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person's assets are distributed according to the laws of intestacy.

  3. A testate estate is an estate where the deceased person's debts are paid off before their assets are distributed, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person's debts are paid off after their assets are distributed.

  4. A testate estate is an estate where the deceased person's personal representative is appointed by the court, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person's personal representative is appointed by the deceased person's heirs.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A testate estate is an estate where the deceased person died with a will. An intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died without a will.

What is the order of priority for distributing assets in an intestate estate?

  1. Spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins.

  2. Spouse, children, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins.

  3. Spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.

  4. Spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, friends.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The order of priority for distributing assets in an intestate estate is spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.

What is the difference between a specific bequest and a general bequest?

  1. A specific bequest is a gift of a specific item of property, while a general bequest is a gift of a certain amount of money or property.

  2. A specific bequest is a gift that is made to a specific person, while a general bequest is a gift that is made to a class of people.

  3. A specific bequest is a gift that is made in the will, while a general bequest is a gift that is made outside of the will.

  4. A specific bequest is a gift that is made to a charity, while a general bequest is a gift that is made to an individual.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A specific bequest is a gift of a specific item of property. A general bequest is a gift of a certain amount of money or property.

What is the difference between a residuary estate and an intestate estate?

  1. A residuary estate is the portion of the deceased person's estate that is left after all of the specific and general bequests have been paid, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died without a will.

  2. A residuary estate is the portion of the deceased person's estate that is left after all of the debts and expenses of the estate have been paid, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died with a will.

  3. A residuary estate is the portion of the deceased person's estate that is left after all of the taxes have been paid, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died without a will.

  4. A residuary estate is the portion of the deceased person's estate that is left after all of the gifts to charity have been paid, while an intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died with a will.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A residuary estate is the portion of the deceased person's estate that is left after all of the specific and general bequests have been paid. An intestate estate is an estate where the deceased person died without a will.

What is the difference between a joint tenancy and a tenancy in common?

  1. In a joint tenancy, the owners have equal shares in the property and the right of survivorship, while in a tenancy in common, the owners have unequal shares in the property and no right of survivorship.

  2. In a joint tenancy, the owners can transfer their interest in the property without the consent of the other owners, while in a tenancy in common, the owners cannot transfer their interest in the property without the consent of the other owners.

  3. In a joint tenancy, the owners are jointly and severally liable for the debts of the property, while in a tenancy in common, the owners are only liable for their own debts.

  4. In a joint tenancy, the owners can partition the property at any time, while in a tenancy in common, the owners can only partition the property with the consent of the other owners.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In a joint tenancy, the owners have equal shares in the property and the right of survivorship. In a tenancy in common, the owners have unequal shares in the property and no right of survivorship.

What is the difference between a life estate and a fee simple?

  1. A life estate is an interest in property that lasts for the life of the owner, while a fee simple is an interest in property that lasts forever.

  2. A life estate can be transferred during the owner's lifetime, while a fee simple cannot be transferred during the owner's lifetime.

  3. A life estate is subject to certain restrictions, such as the owner's duty to maintain the property, while a fee simple is not subject to any restrictions.

  4. A life estate is created by a will, while a fee simple is created by a deed.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A life estate is an interest in property that lasts for the life of the owner. A fee simple is an interest in property that lasts forever.

What is the difference between a trust and an estate?

  1. A trust is a legal entity that holds property for the benefit of another person, while an estate is a collection of property that is owned by a person.

  2. A trust is created by a written document, while an estate is created by operation of law.

  3. A trust can be created during the owner's lifetime or after the owner's death, while an estate is only created after the owner's death.

  4. A trust is subject to certain restrictions, such as the trustee's duty to manage the property for the benefit of the beneficiary, while an estate is not subject to any restrictions.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A trust is a legal entity that holds property for the benefit of another person. An estate is a collection of property that is owned by a person.

What is the difference between a will and a codicil?

  1. A will is a legal document that distributes the deceased person's assets after death, while a codicil is a legal document that changes or revokes a will.

  2. A will is a public document, while a codicil is a private document.

  3. A will can be changed at any time, while a codicil cannot be changed once it is created.

  4. A will is only valid if it is signed by two witnesses, while a codicil does not require any witnesses.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A will is a legal document that distributes the deceased person's assets after death. A codicil is a legal document that changes or revokes a will.

What is the difference between a probate court and an orphans' court?

  1. A probate court is a court that handles the administration of estates, while an orphans' court is a court that handles the guardianship of minors.

  2. A probate court is a state court, while an orphans' court is a federal court.

  3. A probate court is a public court, while an orphans' court is a private court.

  4. A probate court can only handle estates of deceased persons, while an orphans' court can handle estates of both deceased persons and minors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A probate court is a court that handles the administration of estates. An orphans' court is a court that handles the guardianship of minors.

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