Executors, also called personal representatives or administrators, handle a deceased person’s estate during the probate process. In every case, to be named executor of a California estate officially, you must ask, or petition, the California Superior Court in the county where the deceased lived.
Named Executor
Most wills name a specific person as the executor. In California, the named executor must be at least 18 years old and must not be subject to conservatorship, meaning another person cannot have been appointed by a court to make financial decisions for you, or otherwise unable to serve. If you are named the executor, you still must ask the court to appoint you as executor and issue your “letters.” Letters, or official documents from the court, give you the authority to act as executor of the estate.
Read More: What If There Is No Named Executor in a Will?
No Will
If there is no will, you may ask the court to be appointed executor of the decedent’s estate. In such cases, the court may appoint you as executor if you are a resident of the United States and have priority, meaning you are related to the decedent more closely than other parties asking to be named executor. Generally speaking, surviving spouses have priority over children, who have priority over grandchildren, who have priority over great-grandchildren and so on. The California probate code provides an extensive list that details who has priority over whom.
No Named Executor
If the will does not name an executor, the court follows the same procedures to appoint an executor as it does when there is no will at all. The court also follows these procedures if the person nominated to serve as executor is deceased, incapacitated or chooses not to serve.
Executor Duties
An executor is an officer of the court whose duties include making prudent investments with the estate’s assets, keeping its assets separate, and taking and filing an inventory of the estate. An executor must also keep meticulous records. Before the court issues your letters, it requires you to acknowledge your duties as the named executor on a special form to be submitted to the court. You also must take an oath promising to uphold those duties.
Payment
An executor's duties range in complexity, depending on the size of the estate and the potential beneficiaries. As such, you may be entitled to a fee for your services; the amount is often determined by the estate's value. Although you may be paid for your time, carefully consider whether you have the desire and skills to serve as executor before taking on the responsibility.
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Writer Bio
Abby began writing professionally in 2008. Her writing experience includes scholarly writing and articles for eHow. Abby enjoys writing brief how-to articles on legal issues. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska.