When preparing your will with your estate attorney, the attorney will likely encourage you to think about end-of-life decisions such as whether you want to go ahead and make decisions about what will happen if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Your attorney will discuss options such as having someone make decisions for you or deciding as much as you can now while you have the ability to do so. These end-of-life plans often include things like advance directives, durable healthcare power and powers of attorney more generally.
But all of these plans are made for when you are still alive, so should the person you name as executor in your will know about them? At executor.org, we believe in the importance of communicating with the person you select as your executor because we think it can help both the will-writer and the executor. Here’s why discussing your end-of-life decisions with your executor can be beneficial.
You selected someone you trust to carry out the administration of your estate through the executor role. Chances are, you may also want this person to know or be involved in your end-of-life decisions, too. Even if you don’t, if others know someone will be your executor, they may look to that person for guidance or assistance. Therefore, it is a good idea to let your executor know that you have end-of-life plans, and even what they are.
If you are in a position where you are unable to make decisions for yourself, it can be an emotionally charged time for your friends and family. It can be beneficial to tell someone about the decisions you’ve made so it does not come as a surprise to everyone. If your executor is aware of your plans, it could help provide some clarity as your wishes are carried out.
You may make end-of-life plans that you know your loved ones might not agree with or choose for themselves and, because of that, you may not want to tell your loved ones about these plans in advance. Discussing these plans with your executor can provide you with someone who can communicate your decisions and wishes with those you love when you are not able to do so yourself. Even better is writing out what you want your loved ones to know about your decisions so they can share that document, allowing you to communicate directly with your loved ones, so to speak. This transparency can help prevent misunderstandings, even if you know your loved ones won’t agree with your decisions.
Because end-of-life plans can include legal documents such as advance directives or living wills, it is important that someone is able to obtain these documents quickly and easily. If your executor knows about these plans (or even has a copy of them), they can ensure that these documents are easily accessible when needed, allowing prompt action that conveys your wishes.
Sharing your end-of-life plans with the person serving in the executor role can provide reassurance for both you and your executor. Knowing that your wishes are clear and understood can offer you peace of mind.
While you do not have to discuss your end-of-life plans with your executor, we think it is a good idea to do so. It can be a way to ensure your wishes are understood by someone you trust and can facilitate ensuring your wishes are followed.
Your executor will have 15 primary duties as an executor, and executor.org is here to help every step of the way. We even have step-by-step advice as you are planning your estate so that you can ensure their success in the executor role.
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