When drafting your will, you will appoint an executor. This party will ensure your wishes are fulfilled in addition to other duties. So, should you tell someone you named them as your will executor? Yes, you should consider doing so.
Here is why you should tell them:
They need to obtain the needed knowledge
Executor duties can be complicated. They need to file tax returns, manage properties before distribution and so on. Thus, it will be best for one to be informed. You can connect them with your attorney, financial advisor, tax specialist, property appraiser and other parties you may be working with.
In turn, they will learn the best ways to perform their duties. Doing this sooner gives them enough time to learn about their responsibilities.
You need to tell them the location of your documents
Another reason your executor should be aware of their appointment is you need to inform them where you keep your estate plan documents and other financial information. If you change locations, they should know.
They may turn down the offer
The party you appoint as your executor may decline the offer for different reasons. You should respect their decision and choose another party.
If you don’t inform them beforehand, and they refuse the appointment, when the will is supposed to be going to probate, the court may choose an executor based on their criteria or can distribute assets themselves, which is not what you wished.
Nonetheless, you should have an alternate executor, even if your primary one has accepted the duties. Anything can happen to them, or they may change their mind at the last minute.
The executor you pick for your plan plays a crucial role. It may help consider legal guidance to make the right moves.
