The Pros And Cons Of Multiple Executors And Trustees

An executor is the person appointed to carry out the provisions in a will, including distribution of the estate. A trustee is the person appointed in a will (in the case of testamentary trusts) or other trust document (i.e., an inter vivos trust) to administer a trust for the benefit of other persons.

The role of executor of a will or trustee of a trust is often thought to be an honour and a great privilege—after all, these important roles reflect an idea of implicit trust in the nominated individuals which allow them immense legal powers.
However, as will drafters, we often re-contextualize these roles simply as a job, and like all jobs there are qualities that an executor or trustee should ideally have, which may include: financial literacy, knowledge relating to the testator or settlor and beneficiaries, neutrality, geographic proximity, rationality, and time availability.