Being named the executor of someone’s estate can be an honor, and comes with important duties and obligations. Unfortunately, you might be balancing this honor with the grief of losing a loved one.
The 3 Most Important Duties of an Executor
To start, if you’re nominated to be an executor you’re not required to accept the position. You might feel you need to accept in order to honor the deceased, but you’re by no means required to. If you decline to be an executor, a contingent executor will step in or the probate court will appoint one.
Legally speaking, executors are responsible for protecting the assets of the decedent (the person who died). This job lasts until the decedent’s assets are fully distributed to the appropriate parties.
Being an executor can come with legal liability if done imprudently, so it’s important to understand what you’re getting yourself into. Here are the 3 most important duties of an executor: