American Indian Owned Law Firm

Who should you choose as an estate executor? 

On Behalf of | Oct 31, 2024 | Probate & Estate Planning

When you draft an estate plan, you get to make certain decisions regarding what you want to happen with your assets. You may say that you want your financial accounts to be split evenly between your children, for example, and you may decide who should get specific family heirlooms.

But having a plan in place is only half of the battle. You also need someone to carry that plan out and make sure that it actually happens after you pass away. This person is your estate executor or estate administrator. Who should you choose for this role?

Organized and experienced

First of all, try to find someone who is fairly organized and who has experience in these areas. Maybe they have a background in accounting or financial management. They need to be able to do a multitude of fairly complex tasks at once. Not everyone is up to this challenge. Legal and financial literacy are important.

Calm and fair

Additionally, look for someone who will be relatively calm and able to work through any potential disputes in an orderly fashion. It’s also good to look for someone who will be fair and who won’t take advantage of their position.

Willing and nearby

Finally, it’s usually wise to talk to the person you want to choose – in advance – and ask them if they are even willing to be the estate executor. It can be a difficult task, and it may be very emotional. On top of that, it’s often best to choose someone who lives nearby so that they can take on this role quickly if you pass away unexpectedly.

As you draft your estate plan and select an estate executor, make sure you know exactly what legal steps to take.