Probate Bonds

Blue and orange button to instantly purchase a probate bond.

What Are Probate Bonds?

Probate Bonds are surety bonds required by a court to ensure that estate of a deceased person is handled properly. There are several different types of probate bonds, and each provides a different type of guarantee, but all ensure that an appointed Fiduciary handles the estate fairly. These probate bonds include:

Executor Bonds, Administrator Bonds or Personal Representative Bonds

Executor Bonds and Administrator Bonds are very similar. The difference is that Executors are appointed by the Estate. These are referred to as Personal Representatives in some courts.  Administrators are appointed by the Court. The duties of both Fiduciaries are similar. They are to collect the assets of the Estate, pay the Estate’s creditors and distribute any remaining assets to the Heirs of the Estate. A key difference is that the Executor is tasked with distributing any remaining assets according to the wishes of the Deceased. An Administrator is tasked with distributing any remaining assets according to local probate laws.

This graphic shows the difference between Executor Bonds and Administrator Bonds.

Many Probate Bond Brokers do not realize there is a difference between Executor Bonds and Administrator Bonds. Make sure you are getting the correct bond that is required by the court.

Guardianship or Conservator Bonds

Guardianship or Conservator Bonds are required by the court when the assets of the estate are held for the benefit of a minor or person who may be incapacitated. This person is often called a Ward. The Guardian, or Conservator, depending on the court, is charged with handling the estate’s assets until the person reaches a status to be discharged. For a minor, this could be adulthood. For an incapacitated person, this could be a very long time. The Guardian must be careful to handle the Estate’s assets in a way that is in the best interests of the Ward.

Parties to a Probate Bond

Parties to a Probate Bond - This shows the relationship between the Probate Court, Fiduciary and Surety. The background is a court gavel and the word "probate" in the middle.

The Principal on Probate Bonds is the Fiduciary of the Estate. The obligee on these bonds is the Probate Court requiring the Bond. The Surety is the Probate Bond Company that is guaranteeing that the Fiduciary will perform in an honest manner that is in the best interest of the Estate.

Underwriting Probate Bonds

 

6 Common Probate Bond Underwriting concernse. This list 6 common concerns for surety bond underwriters issuing probate bonds. The top is a picture of a courthouse. Blue, brown and purple colors

Probate Bonds are considered risky by surety bond underwriters. Key underwriting considerations are the anticipated length that the Probate Bond and Estate will be open, are any of the assets being disputed, is there an attorney involved, experience of the Fiduciary, controls of the Fiduciary, if there is a business involved and size of the estate.

Size of the Estate

Larger Estates present more opportunity for error. They also have the possibility to have more disputes and larger opportunities for fraud.

Controls of the Principal and Estate

Underwriters look at the controls the principal has in place. For example, is the principal experienced in keeping records? Will they use all checks instead of handling cash? On larger estates, the surety bond company may require controls such as a joint check arrangement.

Is a Business Involved?

Probate cases involving businesses are very risky. Unless the Fiduciary has worked in the business, he or she often lacks the skills needed to properly unwind the business and the chance of a dispute increases.

Length Until the Estate and Probate Bond is Closed

The duration of responsibility is a key consideration in Probate Bonds. An Estate that will be settled quickly is much less risky than a Conservator Bond that may be open for the next 10 years.

Are Any Assets in Dispute?

Disputes are a major red flag to surety bond underwriters looking at Probate Bonds. Heirs may not be pleased with how an Estate’s assets are being handled. Assets in litigation will require many bond companies to pass or require that the principal post collateral.

Will the Attorney Remain Involved?

Experienced Probate Attorneys that stay involved until the Estate is closed, will make obtaining Probate Bonds much easier. On the other hand, attorneys that are simply performing a transaction create risk for the estate and the surety bond company.

How to Get Probate Bonds

Getting a Probate Bond depends on the size of the estate. Many probate bonds where the estate is $500,000 or less can be obtained with just a credit check of the principal and a review of the court documents. They can often be purchased in minutes by clicking here or on the button below:

Blue and orange button to instantly purchase a probate bond.

 

 

Larger Probate Bond cases or those that are more complicated, require the principal to submit a completed application, court documents and in some cases, an Accounting and Inventory of the estate.

What’s the Cost of a Probate Bond?

Probate Bonds cost between 1% – 2% of the bond penalty per year for every year that the Probate Bond is in place. This is important to understand as the Probate Bond will not be cancelled until the principal provides evidence from the court that the Estate is closed, and the principal has been discharged of their duties. The bond premium will be due each year until the paperwork is received.

The exception to this is if a different Fiduciary is appointed and a replacement bond is accepted by the court. However, the Probate Bond company will require a copy of this replacement before closing the initial probate bond.

Probate Bond Claims

Unfortunately, claims are not uncommon on Probate Bonds. Claims can occur in a number of Scenarios.

 Common Claimants on a Probate Bond Include:

  1. A Creditor of the Estate – This happens when the Estate’s assets have been poorly managed and there are no funds remaining to pay a legitimate creditor. That creditor can file a claim against the Principal and the Probate Bond.
  2. A Beneficiary of the Estate – This happens when a Beneficiary or Heir believes the principal mishandled assets of the Estate, which cost the Beneficiary.
  3. An Outside Third Party – This happens if a party believes the principal breached an agreement that harmed the third party.
  4. A Ward – This can happen if they reach the age of adulthood or recover from their incapacity and feel the principal has misappropriated their assets.
  5. A Successor Fiduciary – If the Principal Fiduciary resigns, is removed, dies, or otherwise replaced, a successor Fiduciary could file a claim against the former Fiduciary and the Probate Bond.

 

Common Claimants on Probate Bonds - This has 5 colorful boxes with the most common claimants on probate bonds. The boxes are colorful and the background is a legal office in black and white.

 

Common Reasons for Probate Bond Claims

Although many things can trigger one of the parties above to file a Probate Bond Claim against a Principal, some of the more common causes include:

  1. Inappropriate Expenditures – The Principal uses the Estate’s money inappropriately.
  2. Decrease in the Estate asset values – This often happens when an asset should have been sold and subsequently loses value such as stocks or other investments.
  3. Inappropriate Collection – The Principal’s failure to collect all assets owed to the Estate.
  4. Failure to File or Pay Taxes – The Principal fails to pay or file the Estate’s taxes.
  5. Theft – The Principal steals from the Estate.
  6. Self-Serving Interests – The Principal benefits from the Estate to the detriment of the Estate.
  7. Failure to Secure Insurance – The Principal fails to insure items that are damaged or stolen.
  8. Failure to Properly Run a Business – When a business is part of the Estate.
  9. Failure to Collect Rent – When property is part of the Estate.

As you can see, there are many things that could lead to a Probate Bond Claim. Principals on a Probate Bond should make sure they are doing everything in the best interest of the Estate and keep great records to avoid Probate Bond Claims.

Probate Bonds Require Indemnity

Like all surety bonds, Probate Bonds require indemnity. That means that if a claim occurs, the Probate Bond company will investigate the claim. If the claim is found to be valid and the Bond Company makes payment, they will seek reimbursement from the principal. You can read more about indemnity and surety bonds here.

Probate Bonds are common and most of them are very easy to obtain. Click here to easily obtain Probate Bonds for smaller estates. Axcess Surety employs Probate Bonds Experts. Contact us anytime to have your questions answered and to easily and quickly get your Probate Bonds issued.

 

Vice President at Axcess Surety
Vice President of Axcess Surety. Surety Bond and financial expert dedicated to helping contractors, businesses and individuals understand and obtain surety bond credit.
Josh Carson, AFSB
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