{"id":13230,"date":"2025-12-14T06:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T12:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legaltalktexas.hammerle.com\/?p=13230"},"modified":"2025-12-12T10:58:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T16:58:35","slug":"your-duties-as-executor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/your-duties-as-executor\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Duties as Executor: Being Reasonable, Prudent, and Honest"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Understanding Your Appointment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppose your mom, who is widowed, has 3 children (including you). She executes a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/estate-planning\/wills\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that leaves her estate to you and your 2 siblings, and names you as executor of her estate. Then your mom dies. You hire an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/our-team\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">attorney <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who files all of the necessary documents with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/probate\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">probate <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">court, and after a short hearing, the court appoints you as an independent executor for your mom\u2019s estate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congratulations \u2013 you just became a statutory agent of the court. That honor carries with it all rights, powers, and duties that are established by statute or common law. Violate them at your peril.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Your Core Fiduciary Duties<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Acting Reasonably, Prudently, and Honestly<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have the duty to take reasonable care of all estate property as a prudent man would do, except for extraordinary casualties. Then, you are required to protect the interests of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/beneficiary-designations-in-texas-why-they-matter-and-where-you-can-use-them\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estate beneficiaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which includes your 2 siblings. You have a duty to do fair dealings in good faith with fidelity and integrity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acting in good faith at all times<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protecting all beneficiaries equally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercising reasonable and prudent judgment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining integrity and fairness<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Collecting and Protecting Estate Assets<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have a duty to collect all assets, claims, debts due, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/personal-property-definitions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">personal property<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, records, books, title papers, and business papers of the estate. You will hold these for delivery to those entitled to receive them when the estate is closed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/probate\/how-to-find-assets-after-death-of-loved-one\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assets <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you must gather may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real and personal property<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Claims, debts owed, and income<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business documents, title papers, and records<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial accounts and personal items<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Avoiding Conflicts of Interest<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your personal interest cannot conflict with your fiduciary obligations to the estate. That means that, while you are entitled to 1\/3 of the estate, you cannot cherry-pick the estate assets to give yourself the best items and leave junk for your siblings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Personal Transactions With Beneficiaries<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you engage in personal transactions with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/probate\/beneficiary-designations-in-texas-why-they-matter-and-where-you-can-use-them\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beneficiary <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regarding the estate, then those transactions give rise to a presumption of unfairness. The Court will presume that you acted unfairly; it will be up to you to convince it otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For each personal transaction, you must be prepared to show:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full disclosure of all facts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That any consideration was adequate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That the beneficiary had the benefit of independent advice<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Managing Estate Property and Finances<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Handling Expenses and Maintenance<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have the power to incur expenses and expend funds for the maintenance and upkeep of all assets. You will need to obtain insurance on the assets of the estate until they are distributed to the beneficiaries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Opening and Using an Estate Account<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, you will open an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/think-again-about-adding-adult-child-as-co-owner-to-bank-account\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estate account<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to hold monies that you collect for the estate and to pay estate expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Managing Real Property<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the assets of the estate include real property, then you should obtain an exact legal description of the property as soon as possible. If property taxes are due on the real property, then you should pay those.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Handling Royalty Interests<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the estate assets include producing royalty interests, then you will need to get new division orders so you can begin receiving all payments. These do not transfer title; that will be done when you distribute the interests to the beneficiaries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Re-registering Investments<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should re-register all stocks and bonds in your name as the independent executor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Addressing Debts and Tax Obligations<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should make a list of all of your mom\u2019s known debts. There is a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/probate\/the-art-of-the-claim-arduous-probate-process-unfriendly-for-creditors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> probate claim <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">procedure that should be followed by creditors, but in some cases, it may make sense just to pay a particular debt.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Tax Responsibilities<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then there are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/legal-talk\/estate-taxes-government-inefficiency-fraud\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">taxes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For most estates, it makes sense to hire a CPA to prepare your mom\u2019s final tax return and any estate returns that may become due.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A CPA can assist with:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The final individual tax return<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Estate tax filings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compliance with IRS deadlines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding penalties for filing mistakes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Keeping Records and Working with Beneficiaries<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to document everything, keep good records, and go above and beyond to treat your siblings fairly. You owe them a fiduciary duty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best practices include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping thorough documentation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retaining receipts, invoices, and correspondence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communicating regularly with beneficiaries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining transparency throughout the process<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Final Guidance<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This just scrapes the surface of your duties. Your attorney should be available to answer any questions and give you additional guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good luck.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion: Know Your Executor Duties Before You Begin<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serving as an executor is a significant legal responsibility that requires fairness, transparency, and careful decision-making. Even in the most cooperative families, problems can arise if <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/practice-areas\/estate-planning\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">estate administration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn\u2019t handled properly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Hammerle Morris Law Firm, we help executors understand their obligations, manage estate assets correctly, and avoid disputes. Whether you&#8217;re preparing to serve or already navigating probate, our attorneys can provide the guidance you need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/lewisville-attorney\/#form\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">consultation <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to ensure your actions comply with the law and align with your fiduciary duties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Virginia Hammerle is an accredited estate planner and represents clients in estate planning, probate, guardianship, and contested litigation. She may be reached at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:legaltalktexas@hammerle.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">legaltalktexas@hammerle.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This blog contains general information only and does not constitute legal advice.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding Your Appointment Suppose your mom, who is widowed, has 3 children (including you). She executes a will that leaves her estate to you and your 2 siblings, and names you as executor of her estate. Then your mom dies. You hire an attorney who files all of the necessary documents with the probate court, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13231,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1224,42],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13230","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-estate-planning","8":"category-wills-trusts"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Your Duties as Executor: Being Reasonable, Prudent, and Honest - Hammerle Morris Law Firm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn your duties under Texas probate law, from managing assets to fulfilling fiduciary obligations as an independent executor.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hammerle.com\/legaltalk\/estate-planning\/your-duties-as-executor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Your Duties as Executor: Being Reasonable, Prudent, and Honest - 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