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ARTICLE · 05 OCTOBER 2026

Are Two Really Better Than One? Not Necessarily.

Ward and Smith, P.A
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Selecting the right executor or trustee is crucial to effective estate planning, but should you appoint one person or multiple co-fiduciaries? While naming co-executors or co-trustees may seem like a way to share the workload and provide checks and balances, this approach often introduces unexpected conflicts and administrative complications that can outweigh its benefits.

United StatesFamily and Matrimonial
Terri W. Sharp
Terri W. Sharp
Anna A. Washa
Anna A. Washa

When you create an estate plan with a Will, a Trust, or both, one of the first questions your attorney will ask is, “Who do you want to serve as your executor and trustee?” (collectively, “fiduciaries”).

Several names may come to mind, prompting a follow-up question: should you name them as successive alternates, or appoint two people to serve together as co-executors or co-trustees?

Choosing an executor for your Will or a trustee for your Trust is one of the most important decisions in the estate planning process. This person is responsible for administering your estate or overseeing your financial affairs – a multifaceted role that often requires asset management, banking, tax filing, and even family counseling. Even for “simple” wills or trusts, the job is no small task. (See So, You’re a Trustee…Now What Do You Do?)

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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