An executor is the person appointed by the person making a will (called the testator) to carry out the instructions contained in the will after their death.
The main role of an executor is to identify and collect the deceased person's assets, pay outstanding debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining property to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the will. The executor may also have to protect and manage the estate until it is properly transferred to the beneficiaries.
Depending on the circumstances, the executor may need to obtain probate from the appropriate court to establish the validity of the will and obtain legal authority to administer the estate. The executor must act honestly, carefully, and in the interests of the estate and its beneficiaries.
In simple terms, an executor acts as the person responsible for implementing the wishes expressed in the will. If the executor fails to perform these duties properly or misuses the estate's assets, beneficiaries may have legal remedies against them.
