One of the inevitable questions that comes up in estate planning is who to designate as the executor of your will.
It should be:
– Someone you trust,
– Someone who is organized, and
– Someone who is diplomatic.
Why?
Nominating someone you trust is a clear necessity. An executor will be responsible for collecting information about the assets you own and the liabilities you owe, paying off any debts and taxes, and then eventually distributing the estate according to the terms of the will. You must have confidence in whoever is entrusted with such information and duties.
Gathering the assets and liabilities requires some organization, particularly as statements from creditors and accounts owed roll in. Creditors may include utility service providers, open credit card accounts, home loans and mortgages, car loans, consumer installment contracts, medical service providers, subscriptions, clubs and societies that you belong to, insurance, and on and on. Assets may include bank and brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, insurance policies, real estate, personal property, and more. There potentially can be a lot to get organized, and someone who will approach it systematically is likely to be a strong choice.
Finally, the larger the family, the greater the number of people who have a potential interest. That can also increase the potential for a dispute, whether based on emotions or family history or perceived unfairness. Having a diplomatic executor who can deal with such issues — particularly at a time when emotions can run high — may be best able to keep the family on track and focused on moving forward together, and to diffuse any tensions that build up.