Warning Signs That You’re Choosing The Wrong Executor

EverPlans.com
By Patrick O’Brien

6 Warning Signs That You’re Choosing The Wrong Executor: Avoid making a big mistake by heeding this advice from Patrick O’Brien, CEO and co-founder of Executor.org

If you’re like most of us, when choosing the person to settle your estate after you die, you’ll pick a close family member without much thought. They usually know us best, so naming a spouse, significant other, or adult child to be your estate executor seems like the most logical choice. And in many cases, it probably is.

But before you automatically bestow this important duty on a loved one, it’s smart to pause and consider whether they’re really the best choice for the time-consuming and complex job. At Executor.org, we often talk to the professionals that help families after a loved one dies — estate attorneys, accountants, funeral directors, and grief counselors.

With their input we’ve come up with six warning signs that you’re choosing the wrong person for the job:

1. They aren’t interested in discussing the matter with you
2. They are too busy (young family, working all the time, overwhelmed)
3. They disagree with your wishes
4. They don’t get along with other members of your family
5. They aren’t someone who manages long-term projects well
6. They have a pattern of dishonesty or lying

Being an executor is an important job and frankly, some people are going to be better at it than others. Oftentimes we want to pick those closest to us, if only so we don’t hurt their feelings or make them feel like they aren’t important to us. But choosing an executor just because they are your significant other, child, or friend is not the best reasoning.

By considering the six points above you can better ensure your wishes are followed and that you don’t set your loved ones up for failure or unneeded stress.