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Should you consider having more than one executor?

In some cases, only one executor isn’t enough to handle the probate of your will after you pass away. There are benefits and drawbacks if you choose to go the co-executor route, so it’s important to know what they are before you dive in. For anyone in California who thinks they might need to appoint multiple executors for their estate, these are the main things you need to think about.

When do you need multiple executors?

There are plenty of instances in which a co-executor situation may work best to assist with estate administration and probate. Sometimes, the primary executor is either not able or not willing to carry out the role.

When you have more than one executor, they usually share responsibility equally. This makes it necessary for them to work together in order to decide what to do.

People who appoint co-executors have to think carefully about what kind of relationship these people have. It is important to determine if they will be able to collaborate and come up with a solution that you and your loved ones will be happy with. There has to be sufficient chemistry between them so they can sort through this complex and crucial matter on friendly terms.

When the workload is shared between executors, it tends to lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness. This is especially needed for sizeable or complicated estates.

It also helps to have more than one person’s opinion. Two heads are greater than one, and when estate administration is a collaborative process, it allows the co-executors to see things from a different angle.

The wrong executors can make matters worse

You should also be aware of the potential drawbacks that this arrangement can bring. The probate process might be delayed, and because of the added time it takes to administrate your estate, it can also cost more.

When beneficiaries have problems that need to be resolved, it can be easier if you have more than one executor. However, multiple executors might actually add to the conflict if you are not careful about who you appoint.