Estate planning is a thoughtful process which helps to ensure that your wishes are carried out after you’re gone. A crucial part of any plan is selecting someone to manage the estate at issue and ultimately fulfill those final wishes.
Choosing the right person requires careful consideration and knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. Ideally, they should be healthy and fit, have time for the role and be genuinely willing to serve, among other considerations. Asking your candidates questions like the examples below can help you determine who on your shortlist can best fill the role of executor.
Are you willing and able to take on this commitment?
Being an estate executor results in much responsibility and can be time-consuming and complex. Asking questions like this can give your potential executors a chance to assess their availability and capabilities. It can allow them to decline your offer gracefully if they feel they cannot serve.
Do you understand my final wishes?
Successful estate administration hinges on an understanding of your intentions. Explain them clearly to your candidates and walk them through your estate documents, encouraging questions about anything they might find unclear or unfamiliar. Since these documents express your final wishes, understanding them is vital.
Do you know anything about estate administration?
Knowledge of the Minnesota probate process can be invaluable for executors, but is not a requirement. If your candidates lack this knowledge, show them how to access state probate resources. Let them know that seeking legal guidance in the face of unforeseen complications is also perfectly acceptable.
These topics can be initially uncomfortable, but discussing them can proactively resolve many complexities that might arise during probate, giving everyone involved peace of mind, and better ensuring that your wishes are carried out effectively.
