When you make a will and an estate plan, you need an executor. This person has an important role to play once you have passed away, so you cannot choose just anybody. A Woodland Hills, California estate planning attorney can tell you more about the significance of this role and when you can pick an executor of your own.
When Would I Appoint My Executor?
You can appoint your executor when you make your will. Some people try to make a will on their own, but we recommend that you work with a lawyer. There are multiple legal requirements for a will, and forgetting about any of them can render the document void. An attorney can help you make a will and pick out an executor, and your family won’t have to worry about legal complications later on.
What Does an Executor Do?
An executor’s job is to carry out your last will and testament. They will take care of your estate and any last tasks that need to be handled before your assets can be handed down to loved ones. Your executor may have to:
- Pay off any remaining debts
- Pay your last year of taxes
- Decide what will be done with a home if there is still mortgage debt
- Contact beneficiaries
- Cancel credit cards
- Close bank accounts
- Tell the Social Security Admin to stop payments
This can be quite a bit of work, so it’s wise to make sure that someone has the ability to handle these tasks if you make them the executor. Talk to candidates beforehand and let them know what will be expected of them, and let them refuse if they are unsure if they can be helpful.
Is There Any Special Requirements an Executor Needs to Meet?
There are not really any special requirements for an executor. You can choose someone for this role as long as they are of sound mind and over the age of 18. Some states don’t allow this, but California will allow someone from out of state to serve as an executor.
Can a Lawyer Help Me With My Will and Estate Plan?
We recommend having a lawyer help you so that you can be sure that your will is legally binding. Then our attorneys can turn their attention to other parts of the estate plan. We can help you develop one that suits the size of your estate and your family’s needs.
Talk to an Attorney
When you are ready to make an estate plan of your own, contact our law firm. An attorney from The Law Offices of Yacoba Ann Feldman can help you develop a plan that will protect your assets and ensure that you can pass on everything that you want your beneficiaries to have.
