{"id":286998,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:43","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/estate\/estate-administration\/what-does-an-executor-do.html"},"modified":"2025-08-28T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:00:00","slug":"what-does-an-executor-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/estate\/estate-administration\/what-does-an-executor-do.html","title":{"rendered":"What Does an Executor Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Does an Executor Do?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

An executor is responsible for managing and distributing a deceased person’s estate according to their will. Key duties include locating assets, paying off debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining property to beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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This article details the duties and tasks of an executor,\u00a0or executrix, also known as a personal representative. It also goes through the various stages of the probate process. An executor is nominated by the testator (the person who makes the will) or by the court if the testator did not select an executor.<\/p>\n

Being asked or named to serve as an executor of someone’s last\u00a0will and testament<\/a>\u00a0is a position of great trust. The responsibilities of an executor include:<\/p>\n