Reference no: EM131662592

Question: Case Problem with Sample Answer. Alma Zeigler, a resident of Georgia, died in June 2001. Zeigler's will named as executor her granddaughter, Stacey Hatchett. Hatchett, who was teaching and attending graduate school in Illinois, filed a petition to probate the will in a Georgia state court, which confirmed her as executor in January 2002. The estate's main asset was a brick, three-bedroom house in Savannah. Hatchett sold the house for $65,000, without obtaining an appraisal, and deposited the proceeds in her personal account. Meanwhile, Zeigler's adopted son took the furnishings from the house and placed them in storage. As of August 2003, Hatchett had not inventoried these items, did not know their location, and knew only that the son lived "somewhere in Florida." Also unaccounted for was a diamond ring that had been on Zeigler's finger at the time of her death and a van that Zeigler had owned. Rita Williams, to whom the will devised certain real property, filed a petition with the court, asking that Hatchett, who had not been in Georgia since filing the petition to probate the will, be removed as executor. What are the duties of an executor, or personal representative? Did Hatchett violate these duties? Explain.