Register of Wills releases new policy manual and “ban the box” update

Wilmington, Del. — Delaware Register of Wills Ciro Poppiti,III released part one of a three-part policy manual that details concrete policy and procedures of the New Castle County Register of Wills, including a number of key changes.

Poppiti met with more than a dozen residents of Windsor Apartments Tuesday to release part one of the manual, Delaware Estate Administration. He said he anticipates both Kent and Sussex counties will also enact the procedures for state-wide uniformity.

“We wanted to simplify the process for a grieving family to settle the estate,” said Poppiti, who added that several of the regulations will expedite payment to beneficiaries and minimize the red tape associated with settling estates.

Other regulations outlined in the manual include:

• Establishing a speed docket for family emergencies.

• Ensuring that no estate can be opened if a surviving spouse is not first notified.

• Shortening the auditing process for accountings.

• Banning the box, which no longer automatically prohibits someone convicted with a felony to serve as executor of an estate.

Part one, the acting policy and procedures, is in effect immediately. Parts two and three of the manual will be released next year, said Poppiti.

“What I am most excited about is that Delaware Estate Administration codifies protection for our seniors, while moving us remarkably along the path toward state uniformity of the probate process,” he said.