An executor (called a "personal representative" in some states) is the person you name in your will to carry out your wishes after you die. It's one of the most consequential appointments you'll make. The wrong choice can delay settlement, create family conflict, and cost your estate significant money.
What an executor actually does
The executor's job begins when you die and typically lasts 12 to 18 months. Their responsibilities include:
— Filing the will with the probate court and opening the estate — Notifying creditors, banks, government agencies, and beneficiaries — Collecting and inventorying all assets — Paying valid debts, ongoing expenses, and taxes — Filing your final income tax return and an estate tax return if required — Selling assets if needed to pay debts or distribute cash — Making distributions to beneficiaries — Closing the estate with the court
This is real work — often 100–200 hours spread over a year or more. It requires organization, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate paperwork and occasional conflict.
What to look for
The ideal executor is:
Organized and reliable. They'll need to track deadlines, maintain records, and manage multiple tasks over an extended period.
Financially literate. They don't need to be an accountant, but they need to understand basic financial documents, taxes, and asset management.
Local (or willing to travel). Probate requires showing up in the state where you lived. Remote executors can manage most tasks by mail, but some steps require physical presence.
Available. Settling an estate takes real time. A person with significant job and family demands may struggle to give it the attention it needs.
Trusted by your beneficiaries. Executors who are perceived as biased or self-interested create conflict. The best executors are neutral and transparent.
Common choices — and their trade-offs
Spouse: Often the first choice, and frequently the right one. A surviving spouse has strong motivation to settle the estate efficiently and is already managing finances. The downside: they're also grieving, and the added administrative burden can be overwhelming.
Adult child: Often a good choice if your children are mature, organized, and on reasonable terms with each other. Naming one child as executor when others are beneficiaries can create tension — be thoughtful about which child you choose and why.
Sibling or close friend: Fine if they have the right qualities. A trusted outsider can actually be less fraught than a family member when the estate involves a large amount of money.
Professional executor (bank or trust company): Available for complex or large estates. They're experienced and neutral, but they charge fees — typically 1–2% of the estate. Consider them if your estate is large, your family situation is complicated, or you don't have a suitable personal candidate.
Always name an alternate
Your first-choice executor might predecease you, become incapacitated, or simply decline the role when the time comes. Always name at least one alternate executor in your will.
If no executor is available and you haven't named an alternate, the court appoints an administrator — and it may not be someone you'd have chosen.
Talk to them first
Ask before you name someone. Being an executor is a significant commitment of time and energy during a difficult period. Most people are honored to be asked — but they deserve to know what they're agreeing to.
Tell them where your will is stored. An executor who can't find the will can't do their job.
Compensation
Executors are legally entitled to reasonable compensation, typically set by state law as a percentage of the estate. Family members often waive this. Professional executors always charge.
If you want your executor to be compensated, you can specify an amount in your will — though many people leave it to the default state rules.