A lot goes into the process of serving as an estate executor in Massachusetts (formally known as a personal representative), so you need to be clear about the person you select to serve in this role and make sure you’ve selected the right individual for the job.
There are three primary factors you should be looking for when selecting an executor for your estate: someone who is able to do the work, someone who is willing to do the work and someone familiar with your individual situation. In most cases, this ends up being a close friend or a family member.
But if you do need to look outside of this known circle to find someone who meets these criteria, you need to follow a couple of important steps. Many people are more than willing to help out if they get approached. Think outside the box.
Do you have a sibling’s child with whom you are very close? Are there any grandchildren who would be willing to serve in this role? Or if any of your circle of friends are around your age or older, do they have children that would be able to carry out the task of executor for you? If you can’t find an individual that you trust who is also willing to perform these tasks, then look to hire a third party to serve as your estate’s executor.
Schedule a consultation with an estate planning attorney in Massachusetts to learn more about this process and to get some of your questions around executor appointment answered.
