A Personal Representative, also known as an Executor, is the person you name in your will that carries out your wishes after you pass away. Your Personal Representative is not required to perform these duties just because you have named him, he must accept the appointment as part of the estate administration process. Discuss the role of Personal Representative with the person you name to ensure that he is willing and able to serve.
There are additional factors to consider when naming a Personal Representative. It goes without saying that you should name somebody that you trust. You might also consider how close by your Personal Representative lives to you. Your Personal Representative will need to appear in court in the county where you live and will likely be working with local attorneys, banks, and advisors. These tasks are much easier when the Personal Representative does not need to travel long distances.
Finally, choose a Personal Representative that is ready to serve today. You may live another ten, twenty, or thirty years. However, it is impossible to predict who will be willing and able to serve as your Personal Representative that far into the future. As circumstances change, you can always replace your Personal Representative. You can also name several backup Personal Representatives. And in the event that nobody you named can serve, the court will choose a Personal Representative for you.
