Your executor is the person who carries out your Will after you pass away. Their role is to manage your estate and make sure your wishes are followed — so it helps to understand what's involved before you choose someone.
In most cases, an executor will:
1. Locate your Will and, where required, apply to the relevant court for the authority to act on it.
2. Notify the people named in your Will, and other required parties.
3. Gather and look after your assets, and work out their value.
4. Pay any debts, final bills, and taxes from the estate.
5. Close accounts and cancel things like subscriptions.
6. Distribute specific gifts, and what's left over, to the people and causes you've chosen, and keep a record of it.
Being an executor is a role with important responsibilities, and executors are generally accountable to beneficiaries and the court. The exact process — including whether a court authority is needed and how that works — can differ from state to state.
An executor doesn't need to be an attorney or a finance expert. They can bring in an attorney or accountant if they'd like, with reasonable costs usually paid from the estate, so the role is generally manageable for an organized, trustworthy person.
If you need personalized advice, you may wish to consult an estate planning attorney in your state.
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EveryWill is not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. This article is provided for educational purposes only; it is not, and should not be taken as, legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws vary by state and change over time, and this article is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney licensed in your state who knows your circumstances. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with EveryWill. Use of EveryWill’s platform and services is subject to its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.