what is an executor of a will

An executor of a will is the individual appointed to administer the estate of a deceased person according to the instructions laid out in their will. The executor's primary duties include locating the will, applying for probate if needed, collecting and managing the deceased's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining estate to the beneficiaries specified in the will. Executors have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries and may be family members, friends, or professionals like lawyers or accountants. They hold legal responsibility to ensure the deceased's wishes are properly executed under the supervision of the probate court if applicable.