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Letter E
estate

Executor

A person named in a will to manage the deceased person's estate, including distributing assets and paying debts.

Encyclopedia entry: Executor

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executor

An executor is someone named in a will as the person who will carry out the testator's  formal wishes. Typical duties of an executor include paying outstanding taxes/debt and distributing any remaining assets among the testator’s heirs

While executors handle the actual distribution of a testator’s assets , they are legally bound to distribute said assets in accordance with the testator’s wishes.  

[Last reviewed in October of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team
]

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Encyclopedia content from Cornell LII Wex (CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5).

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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.