Episode 37

Host: Jill Mastroianni

Why You Don’t Have to Take the Executor Job

Jill unpacks a common misconception: that you have to serve as Executor just because your name appears in a Will. She explains when, and how, you can decline the role while still protecting family relationships and yourself.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

You Have a Choice. Just because you’re named in a Will doesn’t mean you’re required to serve. Each state has a process to determine who can step in if you decline.

Executor vs. Personal Representative. Understand the difference between these roles and why “personal representative” is the broader term that includes Executors appointed by a Will and others chosen by the court.

How the Priority List Works. Jill walks through Michigan’s hierarchy for who can serve as personal representative, from those named in the Will, to surviving spouses, beneficiaries, heirs, creditors, and, finally, the public administrator.

What Happens If No One Steps Up. Learn what it means when a creditor, or even the state, takes over estate administration, and what that process looks like in real life.

The Emotional Side of Saying No. Being named Executor can feel like an honor or an obligation, especially for those raised to always “show up” for family. Jill shares why it’s okay to say no, or to say yes, with conditions that protect your time and well-being.

Resources & Links

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Next

When Transfer-on-Death Deeds Promise to Avoid Probate but Create Chaos