Legal Definitions - coexecutor

A coexecutor is one of two or more individuals who are jointly appointed in a will to manage the estate of a deceased person. When a person dies, their will often names one or more people to carry out its instructions, pay debts, and distribute assets. If more than one person is named for this role, each of them is considered a coexecutor, and they share the legal duties and responsibilities involved in administering the estate.

• When Mrs. Rodriguez passed away, her will named both of her adult children, Maria and David, to oversee the distribution of her assets and settle her affairs. Because Maria and David are both designated to perform these duties together, they are acting as coexecutors of their mother's estate. They must collaborate on tasks such as inventorying property, paying outstanding bills, and ensuring that all beneficiaries receive their inheritances as specified in the will.

• Mr. Chen's will appointed his wife, Emily, and his long-time attorney, Ms. Davies, to manage his estate after his death. In this scenario, Emily and Ms. Davies are coexecutors. Mr. Chen likely chose this arrangement so that Emily would have the support and legal expertise of Ms. Davies in navigating the complexities of estate administration, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and the estate is handled efficiently.

• A wealthy art collector, Mr. Thompson, had a very large and diverse estate, including valuable artwork, real estate in multiple countries, and a significant investment portfolio. To ensure proper management, his will named his financial advisor, Mr. Lee, and his close friend, Ms. Patel, as coexecutors. This arrangement allows them to divide the extensive responsibilities, with Mr. Lee handling the financial and investment aspects and Ms. Patel overseeing the distribution of personal property and art, thereby sharing the considerable burden of administering a complex estate.