E263 Not All Lawyers are Good Executors

<p>There are many excellent probate lawyers who would be terrible executors. Why? Let’s break down what you need to have to be a professional executor.</p> <h2>The right support team</h2> <p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-41976" src= "https://anthonyspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-right-support-team-300x169.jpg" alt="The right support team" width="300" height="169" /></p> <p>Probating an estate takes a LOT of hours. It is not reasonable for those hours to be charged on an attorney’s billable time; your estate will go broke in no time. Some lawyers who are just starting out might do everything on their own, but that’s a recipe for burning out quickly.</p> <p>The attorney must have well-trained, experienced paralegals and support staff. This is a huge asset for an executor while carrying out their duties over a period of months or even years. We’ve had some clients ask if they can just hire the paralegals! Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work that way.</p> <h2>Think technically, not strategically</h2> <p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-41977" src= "https://anthonyspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Think-technically-not-strategically-300x169.jpg" alt="Think technically, not strategically" width="300" height= "169" /></p> <p>Some probate lawyers tend to think more technically, not strategically. That’s not a bad thing; competent probate lawyers will know the steps to get from point A to point B.</p> <p>But sometimes the question is, SHOULD we be trying to get to point B? You may need to step back and see the bigger picture. A good executor thinks strategically and sees around corners.</p> <p>For example, a good lawyer knows which forms to send out to complete the court probate package. A good executor also knows which forms to use but also knows that some forms alarm heirs and cause them to clam up. A good executor won’t just send out the forms to the heirs but will take the time to explain the forms and walk the heirs through the process.</p> <h2>Pessimists make good lawyers</h2