Considerable thought should be devoted to carefully choosing an executor (sometimes called a personal representative) who will manage your affairs after death.  Your executor will be legally responsible for settling your estate and carrying out all the provisions of your will.  It is not an easy task, even though an estate attorney may be providing legal assistance.  The executor will have to:

• Probate your will.

• Assemble and safeguard your assets.

• Manage your investments temporarily.

• Pay estate expenses and legal claims.

• Arrange payment of state and federal income taxes and estate taxes.

• Distribute the estate to beneficiaries.

• Make final accounting to the courts of all receipts and disbursements from the estate.

Ideally, your executor would be not only fully competent to perform such tasks, but also sincerely disposed and motivated to meet the important and unique needs of your particular beneficiaries, including helping them with any special problems that may arise after your death.

It’s common to nominate a husband or wife as executor, or a competent and experienced friend, relative, professional adviser, or the trust department of a bank.  Or you may wish to follow the example of many who name a spouse, friend or relative together with the trust department of a bank, to serve as co-executors.  It may not be a good idea to have multiple family members serve as co-executors, since disputes may arise that may complicate or prolong estate administration.  But you may want to name an alternative executor, should the original person die, become disabled, move to a distant state or simply decline to serve.