Executor vs Trustee: Difference and Comparison

Many want assurance that their assets will be managed and dispersed appropriately among heirs after death. Similarly, courts and various financial institutions may sometimes wish to control peopleโ€™s assets through an independent party for a certain period.

Even though both jobs are related to asset management and disbursement, the nature of these jobs is entirely different.

Key Takeaways

  1. Executors manage the estate of a deceased person, while trustees manage trusts for beneficiaries
  2. Executorsโ€™ roles are temporary, ceasing after estate distribution; trustees have ongoing duties
  3. Executors are bound by a will, whereas trustees adhere to a trust document for guidance.

Executor vs. Trustee

The difference between Executor and Trustee is that the executor follows the term of the will and distributes & transfers the deceased personโ€™s belongings to the heirs. In contrast, the trustee follows the time of the trust document and oversees and maintains the asset of the designated trust.

Executor vs Trustee

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Comparison Table

Parameter of ComparisonExecutorTrustee
MeaningThe executor is someone who administers the will of the deceased person.The trustee is an individual or a group of people who administers assets for the benefit of others.
Appointed byThe local probate court.Individual, court, or financial institution.
DutyFollow the term of the will as practicably as possible.Follow the term of the trust as practicably as possible.
Time of workAfter the death of a person.For charity, pensions and retirement plans, trust funds, bankruptcy cases, etc.
FeesIn most cases, the executor does not take payments.In most cases, the trustee takes agreed-upon fees.
Duration of the jobShort.Long.

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Who is Executor?

The executor is someone who administers the will of the deceased person. The primary role of this person is to execute the last wishes and manage the dead personโ€™s financial affairs.

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Law Quiz

Test your knowledge about topics related to law

1 / 10

_______ is the agreement of the will of one contracting party with that of another or others, upon the object and terms of the contract

2 / 10

________ is an unconscious ignorance or forgetfulness of the existence or non-existence of a fact, past pr present, material to the contract.

3 / 10

An agreement made without free consent is

4 / 10

An offer made through _________ is accepted from the time acceptance is communicated to him

5 / 10

What is meant by the term "penalty" in law?

6 / 10

What type of law deals with environmental protection and conservation?

7 / 10

What type of law governs the regulation of trade and commerce?

8 / 10

What is the name of the organization established by the United Nations in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations?

9 / 10

What is the name of the amendment to the US Constitution that guarantees the right to bear arms?

10 / 10

Which of the following statement is not correct

Your score is

0%

To become an executor, the person must acquire a copy of the will of the deceased person. The executor must submit the photocopy of this will to the local probate court to gain authority on this matter.

After becoming an executor, the person must maintain the property until it is distributed among heirs. During this period, he should build communication with other governmental agencies and inform everyone about the personโ€™s death.

Most of the time, this job is handled by an attorney. But according to the law, anyone can become an executor. The person must be an adult and have no record of a felony. Most of the time (in minor cases), this job is done without fees.

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Who is Trustee?

According to the legal term, a trustee is an individual or a group of people who administers assets for the benefit of others. The trustee holds the legal title until the purchase or the property is handed over to the beneficiary.

There are various purposes for which a trustee can be appointed. Generally, they are set for charity, pensions, retirement plans, trust funds, bankruptcy cases, etc.

The trustee needs to coordinate all tasks according to the provisions delineated in the trust agreement. The trustee also must maintain all the records of transactions and submit taxes on time.

Even though anyone can become a trustee, a financial manager does this job. However, the person must not have any conflict of interest for this job.

trustee

Main Differences Between Executor and Trustee

  1. The duration of the executor job is short, while the duration of the trustee job can be extended.
  2. In most cases, the executor does not take fees for this task. On the other hand, the trusteeโ€™s job can be non-profit, but most trustees take agreed-upon fees or salary for this task.
Difference Between X and Y 2023 04 07T092702.698

References
  1. https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/oklrv13&section=34
  2. https://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://scholar.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=2433&context=mulr
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