What is one of the primary roles of an estate trustee?

While making funeral arrangements can be a responsibility of an estate trustee, the primary role of an estate trustee generally encompasses a broader range of duties focused on managing the deceased's estate according to the will and applicable laws. Among these roles, the most critical one involves actions related to the administration of the estate, which includes settling debts and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Preparing court forms for beneficiaries, while important, is more of a procedural aspect rather than a core responsibility of the estate trustee. Similarly, negotiating with creditors, though relevant, does not capture the full scope of duties that an estate trustee must undertake, which involves comprehensive estate management rather than merely handling negotiations.

The role of paying off creditors is a significant responsibility of an estate trustee. Ensuring that all debts of the deceased are settled before any assets are distributed to beneficiaries is crucial to fulfilling the trustee's fiduciary duty. This task requires the trustee to identify and pay all legitimate claims against the estate, allowing for a transparent and fair distribution of the remaining assets.

In summary, while making funeral arrangements is a task that an estate trustee might engage in, the core functions of the estate trustee include paying off creditors and managing the estate overall, making the responsibility of handling creditor payments a fundamental part of the role.