Glossary

Executor

  • glossary
Written by
The Estate Guide Research Desk
Reviewed by
Editorial standards review
Last reviewed
Jurisdiction
United States (general; state law varies)

Simple explanation

A person nominated in a will and generally appointed by a court to administer the probate estate; many states use personal representative as the broader term.

Questions about Executor

Does state law matter?

Usually. Document execution, probate, spousal rights, creditor rules, trust administration, and state tax treatment can vary by jurisdiction.

What should be verified before acting?

Verify the current governing instrument, title and beneficiary records, applicable state law, current tax year, primary authority, and advice from appropriately qualified professionals.

Sources

Last reviewedAugust 21, 2026

JurisdictionUnited States (general; state law varies)

  1. Uniform Probate CodeUniform Law Commission · United States (general; state law varies)

Sources support general educational claims as of the review date. Official materials can change, and source links do not replace fact-specific professional analysis. Not legal, tax, investment, or accounting advice.