Breaking NewsLaw.com and associated brands will be offline for scheduled maintenance Friday Feb. 26 9 PM US EST to Saturday Feb. 27 6 AM EST. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 
Commentary

Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Executors

Estate planning requires a client to make numerous decisions, and some of those decisions are given a lot of attention — such as, “Who should…

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Estate planning requires a client to make numerous decisions, and some of those decisions are given a lot of attention — such as, “Who should inherit my property?” or “Should I have a trust to avoid probate?” But one decision in particular rarely receives the attention it deserves, especially considering the risks and consequences that go with it.

Choosing an executor or trustee is a decision that is often downplayed by attorneys and clients alike, usually resulting in the selection of family members with little consideration as to whether the person is equipped and prepared to handle the responsibilities of the position. Considering a family member or loved one as an executor of an estate or trustee of a trust is understandable: It is assumed that a family member would “do the right thing” or would be offended if an outsider was chosen over a loved one. Estate planning clients are inclined to believe that family is a safe and economical choice. Statistically, though, family is just as likely — if not more likely — as nonfamily members to financially exploit relatives, and litigation costs can easily eat up the initial “savings” of not choosing a third-party professional executor or trustee. Aside from theft and exploitation issues, having certain family members control other family members’ inheritances can irreparably damage familial relationships long revered as indestructible, and worse, lead to estrangement.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Advance® Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]

Texas Lawyer Top Stories

 

Featured Product

Global Briefing

A weekly, curated selection of our international content from around the globe, across the business of law, in-house, regulatory, technology and more, with expert insights from our senior editors.

Learn More

Recommended Stories

More from ALM

 

ALM Legal Publication Newsletters

Sign Up Today and Never Miss Another Story.

As part of your digital membership, you can sign up for an unlimited number of a wide range of complimentary newsletters. Visit your My Account page to make your selections. Get the timely legal news and critical analysis you cannot afford to miss. Tailored just for you. In your inbox. Every day.

Privacy Policy

About Us / Contact Us / Site Map / Advertise With Us/ Customer Service / Terms of Service/ FAQ / Privacy Policy

Publications

Law Topics

Rankings

More

Law.com

Copyright © 2021 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All Rights Reserved.