How to Change the Executor of Will | Process of Changing Executor Will

Yes, you can change the executor of your will without creating a new will, as you will offer to determine the distribution of your assets upon your death. Drafting and creating the last testament will define the distribution of your assets after your death.

You can also nominate a legal guardian for the minor kids in your will or choose an executor for your state. After writing a will, it is possible to change your will, including adding and removing an executor if necessary. So if you are surprised how to change the executor of the will, the process is very easy. As you go through the process, you have to contact the financial advisor to get hands-on guidance.

Who is the Executor of Will?

The ((executor)) of the will is a skilled person responsible for making the terms and conditions of the will. When you appoint someone as an executor of your will, you give him the authority to monitor certain tasks regarding the distribution of assets in your state.

Generally, the executor can be any person; for instance, it includes your spouse, adult children, or the state’s planned attorney. Minor children cannot be executors, and some of the states prevent the convicted felons from doing so.

There is no set law to prevent a beneficiary of a will from serving as an executor. Still, beneficiaries cannot witness a will in which they can take a direct interest as they have to pay the charges for execution of the terms after your death.

How to Change the Executor of Will?

If you want to make the important changes in the will, you have to draw up the setting of a new one. Making a supplement to your will is the best way to simplify this process and make things easier for you if something goes wrong. A codicil is a written alteration or amendment that is useful to make the changes in your will without canceling it. 

Choose a new executor

Most people select their family member as a new executor. Keep in your mind that the executor should be an adult and should be of sound mind. However, most states don’t permit people condemned of a felony to act as executors, and others restrict the appointed people who are not citizens of the US and live in different states.

Create the codicil to name your new executor

On a piece of paper, write the ((addendum)), separate from your current will. Please write the name of the person you want to serve as an executor on it.

Validate the codicil

The same is the process for validating the addendum, which is different for different states. Some states need two witnesses, and some need three. All states do not require the notary to witness, but you have to get the notary even if it is not required.

Store the codicil for safekeeping

Along with the original, but the addendum and tell your selected executor where the will is reserved.

What to do if your Chosen Executor Refuses

A person does not act as an executor only because he is considered named in the will. The court will appoint someone else if your chosen turns the role down. You do have the option to name an alternative executor in your codicil or will, as mentioned above. It will be a good option to ask your elected executor if he is agreed to take on the responsibility. 

Get legal advice

A will one of the key documents you will ever sign to get the legal advice on how you can change the executor of your will for your estate according to the law of the area you live. After all, you don’t have to create illegal documents involuntarily. 

Responsibilities of the Executor of the Will

There are specific ((duties and responsibilities)) someone has to carry out as the executor of the will. The responsibilities include:

• To get the birth certificate of the candidate after the death of the will-maker
• Start the probate procedure
• Make the inventory of the will-maker assets and property
• Note the creditors of the will-maker of the death
• Pay off the liabilities in terms of debts owed by the will-maker
• If necessary, close the bank accounts
• Read the will to the deceased person’s heir’s
• Distribute the assets to those persons named in the will

Executors are not liable to change the terms and conditions of the will. They have only to follow the terms and conditions given in the will. For the services that executors offer, they can charge a fee which is the nominal amount in the percentage of the value of the estate they are working for.

Reasons to Change the Executor of the Will

When you draft a will by assuming that your executor’s choice cannot be changed, there are different reasons why the executor changes. For instance, you need to change the executor of the will for the following reasons.

• Your original executor had died or will be seriously ill and cannot do his responsibilities and duties. 
• You have nominated your spouse as an executor until you have got a divorce. 
• The person you have nominated as executor decides to do the duty and responsibility voluntarily.
• You have got falling out at the personal level with your executor.
• If you believe that some different person is better skilled to execute your will.

There is a need to explain the specific reason to change the ((executor for a will)), as once you plan to do so, there are two options available. Addition of a supplement to a current will or to create a new will.

Writing a new will to alter the executor of a will

Suppose you want to change the executor of a will more than that; you should create a new will document. The process for creating the new will is the same as following the making of the original one. You have to appoint two beneficiaries who know how the assets should be distributed and who will do an executor’s responsibilities.

The new should be properly witnessed and signed. But you have to do the additional steps to destroy all copies of the original will. This is an essential step to ignore the potential challenges, confusion, and dangers to the will’s conditions after your death. If you are not aware of the process for creating the new will to replace the current one, you should contact the estate planning attorney to proceed legally.

If you don’t name an executor

In case, you don’t choose the executor in any case in the will, the court will assign the executor for you. After your death, the eligible can be your executor for your estate or property. The person appointed by the court will be responsible for carrying out the whole procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Is it easy to change the executor of a will?

No matter the reason, it is completely possible to change the executor of a will by following the proper rules, conditions, and terms. But the laws of states are different for different states.

How do you remove an executor from a will?

When the appointed executor fails to do what they are supposed to do, their beneficiaries can ask the judge to be removed from their role. To be qualified to petition a probate judge to vacate the administrator in a case, an individual must have standing in the particular matter. This means they should have something that entitles them to participate in decision-making, like legal or other significance within the community.

Read More: How To Ask The Judge To Reduce Ticket

Can I change the executor of the will by codicil?

A codicil is used to make alterations to your existing will. If you want to change the executor of a will for any reason, you can use the supplement to cancel your choice, as you have the choice to appoint someone else in their place.

Can beneficiaries change the executor?

In most situations, the beneficiaries cannot over-ride a legally appointed executor because they don’t like their decisions. However, suppose the beneficiary believes that the executor is not following the terms and conditions of the will. In that case, they have the right to ask the court legally to appoint a new executor.

Can a will be changed without the executor knowing?

The answer to this question is not in a technical manner. Because whether you have gone for the writing of a codicil or a new will, they are considered valid and legal till the formalities, terms, and conditions of will writing are followed. These legal requirements contain signing the will in the presence of two witnesses who must also sign the document in your presence.

Conclusion

Creating a new can be a good start to shaping your estate plan. Appointing a new executor means that you don’t trust a probate court to do the procedure. But if you want to change the executor of your will later, it is possible to go ahead with minimal headaches.