When you prepare for the future, you may want to plan for what happens to your belongings after your death. Thinking more seriously about estate planning and who you want to name in your will as your executor is one part of this.
Matching the options you have in your life with the skills and personality needed for this role can help you find the best person to pick.
Responsible and quick to follow instructions
According to Kiplinger, choosing a person you know well and trust to be your executor is one of the best ways to ensure they will fulfill their duties. Some people may choose family members and other people may choose close friends or other relatives.
No matter who you pick, they should have a history of responsibility when it comes to filing important documents and communicating with courts. Being able to meet deadlines is important when someone is an executor.
Honest with money
Since a lot of this role involves debts and assets that will go to beneficiaries, this person should also be able to handle money without spending it on themselves. Using your assets to pay off your debt is another part of being an executor. This also means this person must act in the best interests of the estate.
Calm and reasonable
When communicating with a variety of personalities, an executor needs to be able to deal with beneficiaries’ problems rationally and fairly. Having a steady and respectful personality means that this person is more likely to fit this role.
As you think about who you want as your executor, considering these traits may be helpful.