One of the most important parts of getting your estate in order is choosing who you want as your executor. Thinking about your family and friends can give you important clues about whether or not they would fulfill this role well or not.
By learning more about the qualities an executor needs, you can prepare your will and complete your estate planning while feeling ready for whatever the future brings.
Willingness and energy
According to Kiplinger, one of the major aspects you need in an executor is the ability to want to be one. If your choice for this role feels excited about helping you, then it is a good sign.
Whether they live in the same state or area you live in may influence your choice. If they reside far away, they can still serve as an executor, although they may need to arrange for transportation and plan around this distance.
Good temperament
When choosing an executor, you should take into consideration their ability to handle stressful situations and deal with a variety of personalities. If your first choice has trouble communicating calmly with certain members of your family or beneficiaries, they may not work well as an executor.
Honesty
Since a major part of this role is taking care of debts and giving away heirlooms, this person needs to be respectful of the items and money they are in charge of. This includes being honest about what they use it for and not spending it on personal items.
Taking the time to understand what traits are beneficial for executors to have can help you find the option that works best for you.
