5 FEEL-GOOD MOVIES
TO CHASE AWAY THE BLUES
Are you stuck in a TV rut and starting to feel down in the dumps? (Thanks, seasonal depression.) If so, check out one of these heartwarming movies for a pick-me-up. 1. ‘RESCUED BY RUBY’ — If your family loves dogs, this kid-friendly flick will be a real crowd-pleaser. It stars a pup named Ruby, who starts life as a shelter dog. After a state trooper rescues her, she becomes a search- and-rescue worker who finds and saves people. A true story inspired the uplifting tale, and according to some reviews, you may want to have tissues ready. 2. ‘YES DAY’ — Imagine spending an entire day saying “yes” to everything your kids requested. Congratulations: You’ve stepped
their kids’ wildest desires and watch family bonding magic unfold. The Raising Children Network recommends this movie for adults and older kids only. 3. ‘CHICKENHARE AND THE HAMSTER OF DARKNESS’ — The plot of this animated movie is as creative as its title! It follows a cartoon hero named Chickenhare, who is 50% rabbit, 50% bird, and 100% confused about his place in the world. He’s also on a quest with friends to defeat his evil uncle before it’s too late. Think of the film as a funny, adventurous, family-friendly take on the classic tale “The Ugly Duckling.”
former beauty queen whose daughter, Willowdean, doesn’t fit conventional beauty standards. When Willowdean enters her mom’s pageant in a protest complete with dancing and Dolly Parton tunes, she sparks a small-town revolution. This movie is recommended for children ages 13 and up. 5. ‘WE CAN BE HEROES’ — Since its release in 2020, this superhero movie has quickly become a family favorite. The story opens with an aliens-versus-superheroes showdown, and when the aliens win and take the heroes hostage, their kids come to the rescue. As the title implies, the film will leave you feeling like you can be a hero, too.
4. ‘DUMPLIN’’ — Mashable called
“Dumplin’” “the definition of sweet.” The movie stars Rosie (played by Jennifer Aniston) as a pageant-obsessed
into the plot of “Yes Day”! In this film, parents Alison and Carlos go along with
The Bottom Line
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DUTIES AS AN EXECUTOR
Being named an Executor in someone’s Last Will and Testament can feel like an honor, but the responsibility of serving as Executor on an estate can quickly become a burden after a loved one’s death. Some people are shocked to learn they were named as an Executor without prior warning. Regardless of whether or not they wanted the job, many new Executors find themselves overwhelmed by the responsibilities they now hold when it comes to estate administration. Executors have multiple obligations to the deceased person’s estate, and failing to fulfill those obligations correctly or honestly can have legal consequences. The estate administration process can take months or even years to complete, depending on the complexity of the estate. So, what exactly does an Executor do?
Decedent’s will is referred to as “Admitting the Will to Probate.” Once a Will has been admitted to probate and the Court has officially appointed the Executor to serve on the estate, the estate administration process formally begins. The Executor must start by taking a complete inventory of all estate assets. Estate assets may include real estate, vehicles, financial assets such as bank accounts, stocks or retirement accounts, and personal property not jointly owned by a person who survived the Decedent. This process can be time-consuming and cumbersome, depending on the deceased’s record-keeping and organizational skills. Executors must also notify heirs, potential estate beneficiaries, and creditors. Sometimes, locating these individuals is straightforward, but other times, it’s surprisingly tricky. Anyone administering an estate must make good-faith efforts
Finally, the Executor must ensure payment of all valid Estate debts and distribute assets according to the terms of the Will prior to closing the estate. While Executors may possess statutory powers to act on behalf of the estate, and by extension, the estate beneficiaries, Executors do not possess the authority to deviate from the terms of the Decedent’s will. They must administer the estate faithfully in accordance with the terms of the Will and state law. Failure to do so, or the impression of impropriety, can result in legal action from the estate’s heirs or in some instances, personal liability for the Decedent’s debts. You likely have many challenges ahead if you’ve been named an Executor in a loved one’s estate plan. Administrators, individuals appointed by the Court to administer estates in which the Decedent died without a Will, might face even more battles. Therefore, we recommend having an experienced attorney guide you through the process. At Douglass & Runger, we’ve helped administer countless estates and will be glad to help you understand your responsibilities and the best path forward. Don’t let the process overwhelm you; call us today at 901-388-5805 for assistance.
Their first responsibility is to present the Deceased’s will to the Court for probate. The Court must validate the will by ensuring the document meets all of the criteria of Tennessee law before the probate process begins. The legal process of a Judge authenticating and validating a
to contact all heirs to notify the heirs of the opening of the estate. Similarly, Executors must take reasonable steps to notify known creditors who may need to file a claim against the estate for the Decedent’s unpaid debts.
2 • DouglassRunger.com
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