Support for families
The loss of a loved one is often made more difficult by the need to handle tedious financial details. Settling an estate is a much more demanding and time-consuming process than most people realize.

As Executor, Sovereign performs all of the duties required in the probate process. Among other things, this means collecting and accounting for assets, scrutinizing debts and claims, investing the assets, filing income and estate tax returns and distributing the estate to heirs as quickly as possible.

If you are named executor or trustee of a friend’s or relative’s estate, Sovereign can also act as your Agent. In that capacity, we can step in to relieve you of the burden of handling securities, managing investments, performing valuations and filing tax returns, but leave the final decisions up to you.

Careful estate planning can help your family avoid many of the pitfalls that arise during estate settlement. Too many families, for instance, pay unnecessary estate taxes when tax-saving techniques could have been employed. Others find themselves burdened with large sums of money for which they lack the experience to properly manage.

Changing family circumstances, too, may make an otherwise sound estate plan obsolete. Marriage, divorce, adoption, the birth of children or grandchildren, or a death in the family are all valid reasons to review your estate plan. Do it now and avoid potential problems for your heirs.

For detailed information about the many services Sovereign provides, please call your local Wealth Management Advisor.