When you are in the process of drafting your will, one of the most important decisions you will face is who to appoint as your executor. Since this person will be in charge of your estate once you pass away, they will be responsible for performing such acts as selling property, distributing assets, and paying creditors. If you are mulling over this crucial decision, here are some suggestions to keep in mind when making your selection.

Choose Someone Who Is Responsible

First and foremost, always appoint an executor who is known for being extremely responsible. If for any reason you don’t have a friend or any family members you trust with this role, you can instead appoint your attorney, accountant, or even your bank to be your estate’s executor.

Consider Their Financial Standing

Since the executor of your estate will be in charge of your money and assets, it is best to select someone for the job who is in good standing financially. If you don’t, problems could emerge. For example, if your executor has creditors breathing down their neck, they may be tempted to skim money from your estate to pay their own bills. In addition, if it is shown your executor choice is in poor financial standing, the court may refuse to allow this person to act in this role, creating even more legal headaches for your will attorney and your estate.

Name Someone Younger

While it is perfectly acceptable to name your spouse or a close friend as your executor who is about the same age as yourself, it is also recommended you name an alternative executor who is significantly younger and in excellent health. In doing so, you will know that should your first choice die before you, the other person can step into the executor role and make sure your final wishes are carried out.

Location Does Not Matter

Finally, do not feel as if you have to select an executor for your will who lives close to you. In these situations, where the person lives makes no difference. Thus, if you have adult children who live hundreds of miles away from you, they can still be selected to act as executors for your estate. In most cases, an executor who lives far away from you can simply hire attorneys and others to carry out various tasks related to your estate.

By realizing the importance of this decision, you can choose an executor whose only goal is to carry out your final wishes and ensure everything goes smoothly.

Author information: Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.