Silicon Valley Will and Trust Lawyer: Should My Will Have Co-Executors?

When making an estate plan and Last Will and Testament with a Silicon Valley will and trust lawyer, many people have a difficult time deciding who should be the Executor of their estate. Oftentimes, they will consider naming Co-Executors—two or more people who serve as executor of the estate. Each Co-Executor named in your Last Will and Testament will have authority over your estate, and therefore must collaborate and work together to ensure your estate is settled in accordance with your wishes. But is this the right choice for you? Below are some pros and cons to naming Co-Executors in your Will.

Pros for Naming Co-Executors of an Estate

One of the reasons Co-Executors are named in an estate is if there are multiple types of assets that need to be handled. One example of this would be if you owned digital assets along with tangible assets, yet the Executor you want to name for your estate would not be correctly suited to handle digital assets. In this case, you may want to name a Co-Executor specifically to look after your estate’s digital assets. The same could be said for real estate or automotive properties. Silicon Valley Will and Trust lawyers often bring this scenario up with their clients and encourage them to carefully consider their options when naming Co-Executors to settle their estate.

Cons for Naming Co-Executors of an Estate

Most Silicon Valley Will and Trust lawyers advise their clients to think very carefully about the dynamics that exist between the people they would name as Co-Executors. Many times, the stresses of being named Co-Executor can lead to fighting, and, in some cases, litigation if the Co-Executors do not see eye-to-eye. In addition, if it’s possible that the Co-Executors may not work well together or will have difficulty carrying out their duties because they live in different areas, you may want to consider naming just one Executor. Proper planning and communication with your Executor / Co-Executors may solve some of these problems, but, once again, it is suggested that those considering naming Co-Executors weigh the potential benefits against the probable risks.

It should also be noted that in some cases, even if Co-Executors are named in a Will, one or more of the Co-Executors will resign from their position in an attempt to make the process a bit easier by reducing the number of people involved in authoritative roles. This is something that Silicon Valley Will and Trust lawyers discuss with their clients during the estate planning process, so their clients are aware of the different possibilities that may happen once they’ve passed.

If you have any questions about naming Co-Executors in your Last Will and Testament, or if you want your estate plan reviewed to make sure it is in accordance with your wishes, please contact us at (650) 422-3313 to set up a consultation.