Simple English definitions for legal terms
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An executor is a person who is chosen by someone who has passed away to make sure that their wishes are carried out. This can include paying any money that is owed and giving the rest of their things to the people they wanted to have them. The executor has to make sure that everything is done the way the person who passed away wanted it to be done.
An executor is a person who is named in a will to carry out the wishes of the person who wrote the will, also known as the testator. The executor is responsible for making sure that the testator's wishes are followed and that their assets are distributed to the right people.
For example, if a person writes a will and names their sister as the executor, the sister will be responsible for making sure that the person's assets are distributed according to their wishes. This might involve selling property, paying off debts, and distributing money to family members or other beneficiaries.
Another example might be if a person writes a will and names a lawyer as the executor. The lawyer would then be responsible for carrying out the person's wishes and making sure that everything is done legally and correctly.
These examples illustrate how an executor is responsible for carrying out the wishes of the testator and making sure that their assets are distributed correctly. The executor has a legal obligation to follow the instructions in the will and to act in the best interests of the beneficiaries.