What term refers to the consolidation of the estate assets for proper distribution?

• A. Escheat
• B. Marshaling the assets
• C. Dividend
• D. Dower

Answer: (B)

Marshaling the assets refers to the process by which the executor or administrator gathers and arranges all of the decedent’s assets so they can be accounted for and distributed properly. The goal is to consolidate assets to pay debts, resolve claims, and then distribute the remaining value to heirs or beneficiaries in an orderly way. This often involves identifying which assets are subject to probate and which pass outside probate, so there’s no double counting or missed assets.

Escheat describes assets passing to the state when there are no heirs, not the act of consolidating estate assets for distribution. A dividend is a distribution of income from an investment, not a probate consolidation step. Dower is a widow’s life estate in her deceased husband’s property, a rights issue rather than a process of asset consolidation for distribution.