rusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter's medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never lear

Selecting an executor or trustee is often the last consideration when preparing an estate plan. When planning out a will or trust, it seems so much more important and interesting to decide how the property is to be given away! Oftentimes, the issue of who takes the reins as the executor or trustee takes a back seat to these other matters.

But the selection of trustee (or in the case of a will, the executor) is extremely important. Few issues are more important. Failing to select the correct person can, in fact, compromise every other aspect an otherwise excellent estate plan.

I was previously involved in a number of cases where the fiduciary stole money belonging to the estate (actually, both cases involved conservators rather than trustees or executors -- but the idea is the same, as all are considered "fiduciaries", or persons with control and who have a high legal obligation to a person or to an estate).

In one instance, over time, the conservator stole over $11,000 from an account he was entrusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter's medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never learn

akes the reins as the executor or trustee takes a back seat to these other matters.

But the selection of trustee (or in the case of a will, the executor) is extremely important. Few issues are more important. Failing to select the correct person can, in fact, compromise every other aspect an otherwise excellent estate plan.

I was previously involved in a number of cases where the fiduciary stole money belonging to the estate (actually, both cases involved conservators rather than trustees or executors -- but the idea is the same, as all are considered "fiduciaries", or persons with control and who have a high legal obligation to a person or to an estate).

In one instance, over time, the conservator stole over $11,000 from an account he was entrusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter's medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never lear

can, in fact, compromise every other aspect an otherwise excellent estate plan.

I was previously involved in a number of cases where the fiduciary stole money belonging to the estate (actually, both cases involved conservators rather than trustees or executors -- but the idea is the same, as all are considered "fiduciaries", or persons with control and who have a high legal obligation to a person or to an estate).

In one instance, over time, the conservator stole over $11,000 from an account he was entrusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter's medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never lear

ecutors -- but the idea is the same, as all are considered "fiduciaries", or persons with control and who have a high legal obligation to a person or to an estate).

In one instance, over time, the conservator stole over $11,000 from an account he was entrusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter's medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never lear

rusted to manage. What did he use the money for? To help pay for his daughter's medical education. In another instance, a conservator stole money from an estate account by making regular ATM withdrawals at the maximum $300 per day limit.

I never learned exactly what he did with that money.

So, what should you look for when selecting an executor or trustee? Here are some ideas:

• Don't assume that flaky or formerly-flaky family members will or have changed their stripes. You are entitled to your skepticism: Never assume that dishonest members have suddenly become honest. Maybe they are, but that doesn't entitle them to the keys to Fort Knox.
• Don't assume that family members will remain nice and friendly after the funeral. It's amazing what money does to people.
• Select individuals who can and will follow directions. Although detailing the various duties of executors and trustees are outside of the scope of this article, this is essential: Documents such as court orders and trust documents must be both read and complied with. This requires some sophistication on the part of the executor or trustee.
• If possible, avoid avoiding appointing multiple fiduciaries. In my view, appo