What Does an Executor Do?
The executor of an estate (also known as the “succession representative”) is the person who manages all the decedent’s financial affairs. If the person wants to have more than one person manage their affairs, like naming two children instead of one, then the term “co-executors” is used, as explained in a recent article “Executor of Estate: What Do They Do?” from Forbes
The most important characteristic that the executor should have, is integrity and good judgment. They are legally required to act in the estate’s best interest, which is called acting as a fiduciary. This is important, especially if an heir serves as an executor.
They also need to be wise enough to know when they need help from a skilled professional.
The succession representative follows the directions that are included in the person’s will, including distributing assets to legatees. They also manage the many tasks associated with wrapping up the decedent’s life, including paying creditors, issuing notices of death, filing final income and estate tax returns and overseeing the sale of homes and automobiles. To streamline these tasks, the testator should tell his or her estate planning attorney to designate the executor as an “independent executor” in the estate planning documents. Appointing an “independent executor”, rather than a regular executor, can streamline the probate process and reduce overall costs and attorneys fees.
The word “executrix” is an old, out-of-date term used when a woman serves as the executor, not commonly used today.
When a proper estate plan is in place, the succession representative of the estate is named in the decedent’s last will and testament. In cases where the decedent (sometimes referred to as the testator) did not have a will, or the will has been deemed invalid, the probate court judge names someone to serve as administrator. This is not always someone who the testator would have named, but when there is no will, the court makes this decision.
If you have been named the executor of an estate and don’t wish to serve, you may decline. If the decedent anticipated that and named an alternative or contingent executor, then the secondary person will serve, or the probate court judge will name someone to serve in this role. The judge can also override the decedent’s choice of an executor, if the person they named has a criminal history, is not of legal age, has a mental disability or a substance abuse problem. The court is not allowed to change the executor simply because the heirs don’t want a person to serve.
The succession representative has a long list of tasks to accomplish, from obtaining death certificates and securing the home to filing the will with the probate court in the decedent’s parish of residence and petitioning the court for probate. Many an Executor enforces the will through the court by hiring an estate attorney to assist with the legal portion of administering the estate, as an estate and trusts attorney will be familiar with the processes and the deadlines.
He or she must notify the Social Security administration and Medicare, if the person was enrolled in either of these federal programs. The Department of Motor Vehicles, Veterans Affairs and insurance companies must also be notified. He or she is also responsible for filing the person’s final income tax returns and if necessary, filing the state and federal estate tax returns. This is just a partial listing of the many different tasks that must be accomplished. The estate planning attorney may have a checklist to help the executor on track.
If you liked this article, “What Does an Executor Do?” read these articles: Will a QTIP Trust Work for a Blended Family? and Do Stepchildren Inherit? and Can My Family Fight the Gift of My Estate to Caregiver? and 8 Key Steps to Take Before Hiring a Lawyer
Reference: Forbes (May 3, 2021) “Executor of Estate: What Do They Do?”
