Who will handle your estate?

1 Nov 2022 · 1 min

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0:57

In this YouTube monologue, Jerry Taylor reads a bizarre excerpt from a will where the testator, Thomas, demands his brother Jake serve as executor under strict court supervision and a large bond. Using this example, Taylor outlines three essential rules for selecting an estate executor: (1) the chosen person must explicitly agree to serve, otherwise the court will intervene; (2) the executor should be local and easily reachable, not a distant acquaintance; and (3) the will must name a specific individual, avoiding vague language that could force a court appointment. He emphasizes that these precautions prevent costly court battles and ensure the estate is managed according to the decedent’s wishes.

Chapters

Tell me if this is weird. This is from the will of a man named Thomas. I want my brother Jake to be in charge of my entire estate, and I want the judge to do two things. One, make Jake put up a huge amount for a bond, and two, watch Jake like hell. My brother Jake is a good businessman, but only an idiot would trust him with $5. Well, Thomas, if you can hear me, you just called yourself an idiot. I don't know what Thomas was trying to do there, but I can tell you when you're thinking about who's going to be in charge of all your stuff after you're gone, there are three things you need to be absolutely absolutely certain about. Number 1 is that whoever you choose will agree to do it. If the person you've chosen to be in charge of everything after you're gone backs out, then the court's going to have to decide who will be that person. Number 2, that the person you choose is local. Don't choose somebody on the other side of the country. It's best to have someone who is easily accessible. Number 3, be specific about who you want. Name a person. If you're not specific, then again, it could come back to the court making that choice.