What Is the Role of a Personal Representative?

A personal representative is an individual or entity appointed to oversee the affairs of a deceased person's estate.

The personal representative is responsible for managing the estate during the probate process, which is the legal process of distributing the assets of the deceased person's estate to the heirs and beneficiaries.

The duties of a personal representative can include gathering and valuing the assets of the estate, paying off any debts owed by the estate, filing tax returns, and distributing the assets to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the will or the laws of the state if there is no will.

A personal representative handles the estate of a person who has died. When a living adult can no longer manage their own affairs, the court may appoint a guardian instead, which is a separate role.

In Florida, a personal representative must be at least 18 and mentally and physically able to do the job. A person cannot serve if they have been convicted of a felony, or convicted in any state or foreign jurisdiction of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult. Florida residents may serve. A person who does not live in Florida may serve only if they are the decedent's spouse, legally adopted child or adoptive parent, or are related to the decedent by blood in a direct line, such as a parent, grandparent, child, or grandchild. A brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the decedent may also serve, as may anyone related by blood in a direct line to one of those relatives, and the spouse of anyone who qualifies. The role can be time consuming and require significant work.