Should I tell people that I named them in my estate plan?

A person named for an estate-planning role may decline or be unable to serve. Some people choose to discuss the role in advance so the nominee understands the basic duties. Whether and how to have that discussion is a personal choice.

General information

• The person does not have to share every private distribution term.
• People who may act may need access to current documents and records.
• Current contact details reduce delays in locating the people named.

Service steps to consider

1. Asking for consent before signing.
2. Explain the role and backup plan.
3. Reviewing the appointment every few years.

Quick check

• Can this person do the work?
• Do they know where the forms are?
• Did I name a backup?

How Complete Wills can help

Complete Wills' questionnaires let customers name primary and backup executors, trustees, financial agents, and health-care agents. The service can explain what a field asks for. But it cannot select a person, assess a conflict, or decide whether one person may hold several roles in a particular situation. Customer support can explain website features and questionnaire fields, but it cannot choose documents, people, distributions, or legal terms, interpret a completed document, or explain how the law applies to a person's facts. Only a separately engaged licensed attorney may provide legal advice within the attorney's engagement.

Important limits

• These positions carry legal duties. The person named may need to accept the role and, for an estate, receive court appointment.
• A licensed attorney can provide advice when family conflict, business ownership, complex assets, or a questionable decision-maker creates risk. This article gives general information only. A licensed attorney can explain how state law applies to a specific estate plan or document.