Anyone who is a legal adult of sound mind can serve as the administrator of your Indiana estate after you pass away. If you’re like most people, you’ll probably choose an adult child, a sibling or some other close family member to serve in this role. However, it may be worthwhile to consider hiring a professional executor to help settle your affairs after your death.
You’ll have someone close by
Perhaps the best reason to appoint a professional executor is that they will be in the area and ready to start probate proceedings in a timely manner. If you choose a relative to serve as your executor, you can’t predict if that relative will stay local or live 1,000 miles away at the time of your death. The distance issue may make it difficult or impossible for your sibling, child or grandchild to carry out the role properly, and it may also cause your first choice to withdraw from the position.
You’ll have someone to work with your family
You can hire a professional to work alongside your family members to ensure that your needs are adequately met. The professional can provide more insight into estate administration themselves while your family member can provide context as to the instructions left in your will. Depending on family dynamics, having a professional and a family member oversee your estate may help to ease tensions that could make it difficult or impossible to carry out your final wishes.
Selecting an executor is one of the most important choices that you’ll make during the estate planning process. A professional executor has a fiduciary responsibility to your estate, which means that whoever you appoint will have to keep your estate’s best interest in mind during probate.