An executor (sometimes called a "personal representative") is the person you name in your will to manage your estate after you die [1]. Their job is to carry out the instructions in your will and handle the administrative work of closing out your affairs.
What an Executor Does
The executor's responsibilities typically include [3]: filing the will with the probate court, notifying beneficiaries and creditors, inventorying assets, paying outstanding debts and taxes from estate funds, distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries according to the will, and filing a final accounting with the court.
In straightforward cases this process takes a few months. In complex or contested estates it can take much longer.
Who Should You Choose?
Most people name a spouse, adult child, sibling, or trusted friend. The ideal executor is someone who is organized, financially responsible, willing to serve, and geographically accessible (since they may need to appear in court or manage local affairs).
You can also name a professional executor, such as an attorney or bank trust department, though they will charge a fee for the service.
Always name an alternate executor in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to serve when the time comes [2].
Does an Executor Get Paid?
In most states, executors are entitled to compensation from the estate. The amount varies by state law and is typically a percentage of the estate's value or a "reasonable" fee set by the court [3]. Family members serving as executor sometimes waive the fee.
Related Terms
Administrator: The person a court appoints to manage an estate when there is no will (or the will doesn't name an executor). Same job, different title. See intestate.
See also: What Is Probate? for more on the process your executor will navigate, and The Cost of Estate Planning for what executor compensation typically looks like.