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To Be or Not to Be an Executor

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June 07, 2023

Being asked to be the executor of someone's estate can be both a great honor and a huge burden. When a person dies, there are generally assets that are left to that person's heirs. And those assets must be managed and distributed, as well as any debts paid. This is the role of the executor.

With a probate estate (all assets that do not follow beneficiary or other direct transfer rules), the court will appoint an executor. The term executor or its feminine form executrix, can also be termed in the neutral form personal representative in some states. If there is a Will, the court will generally appoint whoever is listed as the executor in the Will. The court can overrule the Will if there is a good cause to do so. For those with no Will, each state's law will vary, but usually gives priority to family members, such as a surviving spouse or adult child.

In some instances, there may not be enough assets to justify going through probate. The heirs of small estates may be able to distribute the assets without the court having to appoint an executor.

Executors are entitled to take a fee for their work. They do not have to charge a fee, but if they do, the guidelines for the amount differ from state to state.

The first task of the executor is to gather a list of all probate assets that will need to be distributed. If the deceased individual had a financial advisor or tax advisor, they should be able to help identify the assets that will need to be dealt with. Since the process may take several months, the executor needs to make sure the assets are managed in a way that preserves the value. Stocks will most likely need to be transferred into a new Estate account so the estate can manage and distribute them.

One of the most difficult assets the executor will have to deal with is any real estate that the deceased owned. Unless specifically detailed in the Will that the real estate is to go to a specific individual or organization, then the property might have to be put up for sale. This can take a lot of time and work on the executor, as they will need to dispose of all internal possessions, clean up and repair the house and engage with a real estate professional to get the house sold. If the house still has debt on it, that mortgage will need to be paid.

And speaking of debt. The myth that the executor will have to pay the deceased's bills with his own money is false. All debts (mortgages, car loans, medical bills, funeral expenses) will need to be paid by the estate before assets can be distributed.

It is also important for the executor to understand that a tax return will still need to be filed. Both a final personal return and possible an estate tax return will need to be filed, so consult with a tax advisor to make sure you are following the rules.

As I said at the beginning, this can be a great honor. But as the executor, you will have to deal with family members that might feel they are owed more than what is listed in the Will. Or that the 'Grandma promised me that diamond ring'. Before you accept the duty of executor, make sure you are not putting yourself in a position that will harm future personal relationships. Remember the court can always appoint a third party to manage the estate and serve as the executor.


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About the author

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Van Pappas

Vice President, Private CFO®

Van Pappas, CFP® - Van is a native of Atlanta. He holds his undergraduate degree in Finance with an emphasis in Real Estate. As a planner for 15 years, he earned his CFP designation from Kaplan University. He is currently the Chairman and founder of the Chamblee Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Downtown Development Authority for the City of Chamblee. In 2012, he noticed the value of helping the X-Y Generations and decided to merge his practice with oXYGen Financial.

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regard to your individual situation.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Background and qualification information is available at FINRA's BrokerCheck website.

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Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

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