Who should I select to be my Executor?

Also known as a Personal Representative or Executrix.

An executor is the person(s) responsible for making sure your last wishes are carried out. You could choose your spouse, your children, a close friend, etc. The most important thing is that you select someone who you trust and who will be in your life for the long-term. Also, you should consider the individual's health and age. Parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents, for example, would make poor choices since they are more likely to die before you. Before your will is finalized, you may want to discuss the responsibility with the person whom you have chosen as executor. You do not need to ask but he or she has the right to decline the task. We suggest listing more than one choice for your executor. Then, if the first person declines or is not available (i.e., they were in the same accident with you the second executor can take over. Under Washington law, the executor is entitled to be reimbursed for the expenses he or she incurs while completing the task unless you specify in the will that they cannot be paid.

No one, other than you and the lawyer who wrote the will, needs to know the contents of your will. But your executor and other close friends or relatives should know where to find it. Trying to probate a copy of the original will in Washington raises several additional complications and, usually, additional expenses. Your original will should be kept in a safe place such as a locked, fireproof box at your home or office. A safe deposit box is safer still but if you are single and there is no one else with access to the box, your estate will need to spend more on legal fees to force the bank to open the box to check for the original will.

Whether your estate is large or small, you probably need an estate plan. For more information on estate planning, call us at 206-782-0722.

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