It can take a lot of work to decide how someone wants his or her final affairs handled. Estate planning can be a beneficial process that gives Pennsylvania residents the opportunity to assess their affairs and consider how they want their personal matters handled after their passing. One important aspect of creating an estate plan is choosing an executor.
The executor of an estate holds an immensely vital role. This person will see the estate through its closing process, or probate. The executor will need to file the proper paperwork with the court, find and inventory remaining assets, file a find tax return for the decedent, pay remaining bills and debts, and distribute assets to heirs and beneficiaries when the time comes. Because so much work can go into completing probate, it is important that the prospective executor knows that the process can take a considerable amount of time.
When considering candidates for this position, choosing someone who has the time to complete the process is necessary. Also, it is important to remember that the executor does not have to be a close family member. While many people do tend to choose adult children or a spouse to take on this role, professional services could also be used if someone does not want to place this responsibility with a family member.
When choosing an executor, it is important that the testator appoints a person that he or she trusts. It can also be useful to discuss the appointment with the candidate before putting his or her name in a will because some people may not want to take on such an important and time-consuming role. If Pennsylvania residents have questions about appointing someone to this role, they may wish to discuss this topic with estate planning attorneys.