How do I choose my executor wisely?

Question

Patricia Welty · Accepted Answer

Choose someone you will feel comfortable to have “standing in your shoes,” Someone who has views and values similar to your own.

If there are minor children, choosing someone they can relate to and respect will make that person’s task easier. There are also advantages to having your back-up executor and your children’s guardian be the same person.

You also might want to take into consideration where the executor lives. Choosing an executor who does not live nearby means he or she will have to handle your affairs from a distance, which could prove impractical or add travel expenses.

Nonetheless, even if they live elsewhere, the nature of your assets and the importance to you of having a particular person as your executor may still make it desirable to choose them.