An executor's duty: The legal vs. the personal

When an individual decides to make a will, one of the most important decisions they will have to make is who to appoint as their executor. The executor, or trustee, is the person who will be responsible for gathering all the assets after death, paying off all the debts and distributing the estate according to the terms of the will. They are also legally responsible for arranging and paying for the funeral. In light of the importance of this position, it is very important that any individual named is reliable, trustworthy and organized. I also advise my clients to name more than one individual so that there are alternates available in the event that their first, or even their second choice, is unavailable for whatever reason.