One of the most important decisions you'll make when writing your will is determining who should be named executor of your estate. Even if you're just leaving behind household goods and a small savings account, someone -- whether appointed by you or the state court -- must settle your affairs.
Some people consider it an honor -- or duty -- to take responsibility for ensuring that their loved one's final wishes are carried out. But serving as an executor can be onerous and time-consuming, even for those with a strong financial or legal background. In a worst-case scenario, executors who act imprudently or in violation of their duties can be sued by beneficiaries and creditors.
Plus, you'll likely have to deal with the dreaded probate, a court-supervised process of locating and determining the value of the deceased's assets, paying final bills and taxes, and distributing what's left to the heirs.
- Manage paperwork on behalf of the estate, including the will, trusts, insurance policies (health, life, auto), bank, investment and retirement account statements, birth and death certificates, marriage, prenuptial agreement or divorce papers, military service records, real estate deeds, car registration, tax records, etc.
- If the estate is complicated or likely to be contentious, you may want to hire a lawyer and/or accountant to help navigate the maze of paperwork -- for example, the attorney who helped draft the will or trust.
- File a certified copy of the will with the local probate court, which will determine if probate is necessary. Formal probate proceedings can sometimes be avoided if the deceased's personal property has little value or all property passes to a surviving spouse, for example.
- (Each state has its own probate laws. To learn more about probate, visit this NOLO site.)
- If the probate court confirms you as executor, you'll be issued a document called "letters testamentary," which gives you legal authority to act on the estate's behalf, including opening a bank account in the name of the estate to pay outstanding debts (loans, utilities, medical bills, credit card balances, etc.)
- Notify all interested parties of the death. These might include: government agencies (Social Security, Veterans Administration, Medicare, U.S. Post Office, DMV, IRS); financial institutions; creditors; current and former employers; pension or 401(k) plan administrators; investment firms; insurance companies; doctors, lawyer, accountant and other professionals; landlord or tenants; utilities, etc.
- You'll often need to send a copy of the death certificate to close out accounts, claim insurance benefits, or change ownership of assets or accounts to the estate or a beneficiary, so order ample copies through the funeral home or county health department.
- Locate assets, including personal property, bank accounts and safe deposit box contents, and ensure that they are protected until sold or distributed to inheritors. This may involve updating home and car insurance, changing locks, overseeing appraisals of property that must be sold, etc.
- Collect money owed to the estate, such as outstanding wages, insurance benefits, retirement plan benefits and rents.
- To avoid conflicts of interest, always keep all assets of the estate separate from your own. Any interest earned by estate assets should be deposited into the estate's bank account.
- Notify heirs about their bequest. This may involve some sleuthing if the will is worded vaguely -- e.g., "to be divided among all living nieces and nephews."
- File the deceased's final federal, state and local tax returns, as well as federal and state estate tax returns, if applicable -- the latter are unlikely unless the estate is worth more than $5.25 million.
- Once probate has closed, you will distribute the remaining assets to named beneficiaries.
- Because acting as an executor can be very time-consuming (often taking months or years), you are allowed to charge the estate a fee for your time -- usually a percentage of the estate's value, as dictated by state law.
Some people name multiple executors to their estate, reasoning that no one person should do all the heavy lifting. However, be wary: co-executors must make all decisions unanimously and jointly sign all paperwork. This can be particularly burdensome and cause delays if someone lives out of the area.
Also, be aware that there are certain restrictions on who can act as an executor. For example, minors, convicted felons and non-U.S. citizens cannot serve. Most states allow someone who lives in another state to serve, but some require that they be a relative or a primary beneficiary. Some states also require nonresident executors to obtain a bond or have an in-state resident act as their representative. Familiarize yourself with your state's rules when drafting your will.
In short, both parties should thoroughly understand what's required of an estate's executor to make sure it's a good fit. There's no shame in saying no if it's beyond your abilities, and plenty of professional help is available -- and advisable -- if you do need assistance. For more tips, see my previous blog, What to Do When a Loved One Dies.
This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation.