{"id":1890,"date":"2021-01-28T22:36:59","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T22:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/?p=1890"},"modified":"2024-10-04T21:32:17","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T21:32:17","slug":"differences-between-trustee-and-executor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/blog\/differences-between-trustee-and-executor\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Difference Between a Trustee and an Executor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

If you die without a will, Arizona state law will determine who inherits your money and belongings, and it might not be according to your wishes. To control where your property goes when you\u2019re no longer around, you need to put your estate planning goals in writing.<\/p>\n

Additionally, many people appoint individuals to manage their estate after they pass. If you\u2019re approaching estate planning for the first time, you might be wondering about the differences between executors and trustees. Read on to learn about the various tasks these people perform and get tips on choosing individuals to fill the roles.<\/p>\n

Who Are Executors and Trustees?<\/h2>\n

Executors and trustees have different functions in estate planning. While executors are responsible for handling a person\u2019s affairs after they\u2019ve passed on, trustees administer, or run, the trust that a will creates. Legal arrangements, trusts are used to hold property or possessions for beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

In other words, trustees manage trusts, but they aren\u2019t necessarily the beneficiaries of them. Regardless of whether or not you\u2019re due to inherit money or property, being selected as an executor or a trustee is generally considered to be an honor.<\/p>\n

What Does an Executor Do?<\/h2>\n

So, what is it that an executor does when a person passes? Named in the decedent\u2019s will, the executor distributes parts of an estate to beneficiaries based on the terms of the will. Whether you have been named an executor or are looking for someone to fulfill this function on your behalf, you should be aware of the following tasks an executor must perform:<\/p>\n