Selecting the Right Executor for Your California Estate

Estate planning is a matter of practical necessity, but for some, establishing a solid estate plan can seem challenging. While writing a last will and testament is often the simplest way to save an estate from the rigors of an intestate succession, somebody has to ensure that the decedent’s wishes are honored, that inheritances are distributed to deserving heirs, and that debts are paid.

In California, the task of initiating probate and dissolving an estate is typically delegated to an executor. Without a competent executor, an estate could be compromised by unexpected delays, uncertainty, and even litigation.

The Role of an Executor in California Successions

An executor, or personal representative, has a wide range of responsibilities that includes initiating probate in the correct jurisdiction and letting heirs and creditors know that proceedings have begun. But there are more tasks the executor must take care of, including:

Inventorying and managing the deceased person’s estate assets
Paying the estate’s remaining debts
Defending the estate from any potential challenges
Distributing inheritances and bequeathing gifts to the decedent’s named beneficiaries

Since probate is a time-sensitive process, an executor’s decisions can have far-ranging consequences. Any delay, no matter how minor, could cost an estate thousands of dollars in fines, penalties, and fees.

The Golden State’s Legal Requirements for Executors

California state law requires that a personal representative be 18 years of age or older and of sound mind. Unlike some states, California does not otherwise restrict who can and cannot serve as an estate executor. While California has few legal requirements for serving as an executor, choosing the right estate representative could still prove challenging. Before making a commitment, there are important questions to consider.

Can My Executor Travel to Court?

Executors do not have to live in California. However, nominating an out-of-state executor could delay probate proceedings, especially if the estate is contested and the personal representative is required to regularly travel to court. While executors are entitled to an allowance from the estate, they may be required to bear the cost of cross-country flights, overnight stays, and other travel-related expenses.

Do I Trust My Personal Representative?

California’s probate courts oversee the administration and dissolution of estates. However, courts have limited oversight and do not actively supervise an executor’s day-to-day activities. Since executors must manage an estate’s finances and accurately inventory its assets, a personal representative should be somebody that you trust to make good-faith decisions about your investments, properties, and bank accounts.

Does My Estate Executor Know How to Initiate Probate?

You do not need to name a licensed attorney as your executor, but your personal representative should be at least somewhat familiar with the California Probate Code and its expectations for executors. Almost every step in the probate process is deadline-driven and time-sensitive. Even simplified proceedings necessitate that an executor:

File a petition to initiate probate within weeks of the decedent’s death
Send notices to the deceased person’s heirs, creditors, and other interested parties
Respond timely to creditor requests for repayment
Resolve disputes as they arise

California state law broadly mandates that executors complete succession within a year. If probate lasts longer than expected, heirs can be left waiting for much-needed inheritances, and the personal representative could be held liable for mismanagement or breach of fiduciary duty.

Can My Personal Representatives Resolve Disputes?

Even simple probate proceedings can be complicated by disputes between heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors. While many of these disputes can be resolved without the need for litigation, executors must still be prepared to adjudicate disagreements, advocate for the decedent’s intent, and defend the estate’s interests. Since executors could find themselves at odds with their own friends and family, a prospective personal representative should be rational, impartial, and objective.

Do You Need To Speak With An Estate Planning Attorney?

If you need to speak with an experienced estate planning lawyer please contact us online or call us directly at 800.756.5596 to first register for one of our free, informative seminars. Your attendance will qualify you for a special discount for our estate planning services should you decide to make a free appointment at the conclusion of the seminar and choose to proceed with us. We proudly serve clients throughout California with offices in Torrance, Newport Beach, Orange, Woodland Hills and Pasadena.

When You Want the Very Best for Your Loved Ones, Choose Us.

Experience and Expertise. Estate planning and post-death administration are all we do. Our attorneys have over 70 years of combined expertise in the field, and three of our attorneys have passed an additional Bar examination and peer review process to become State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Two of our attorneys also have Master’s Degrees in Tax Law, giving us unique insight into how estate tax and income tax will affect your family’s inheritance.

Customization and Attention to Detail. Before we create or update your estate plan, we get to know you, your goals, and what matters to you most. We take the time to listen to your concerns and attend to each of your unique needs and desires as if they were our own. When we complete your plan, we perform a detailed quality control process to help ensure your objectives are met. We also provide you with a personalized Owner’s Manual containing all of your important documents, and your Successor Trustee with a Manual containing helpful, plain-English checklists and easy-to-follow procedures.

Lifetime Relationship. All of our estate plans include a free ongoing service package. We take phone calls any time you have questions, perform free estate planning checkups every three years, and keep you abreast of changes in the law and planning strategies with our complimentary newsletters and educational seminars. And, when the time comes, we will be there to help your trustee and loved ones.