Options for Appointing an Executor

The Memorial Society receives inquiries from members about what to do when there is no one suitable in their life to appoint as the executor of their will. Here is a brief overview. 

 

When a person dies and leaves a valid will, it is the responsibility of the executor named in the will to administer the estate. An estate refers to all the money, assets and property owned by a person, as well as any debts. Usually, an executor is a family member or close friend. For different reasons, it sometimes happens that an individual may not have someone in their life to act as their executor.

 

If there is no suitable person to be appointed, there are options:

• The Public Guardian and Trustee of BC(PGT) may provide this service depending on the size of an estate. The PGT charges fees for these services which are set by the B.C. government in the Public Guardian and Trustee Fees Regulation.
• Lawyers – they can administer an estate and the cost will usually depend on the size and the amount of work.
• Many banks have internal trust departments – fees can be high.
• Trust companies – fees are generally more reasonable.

 

Assistance for Executors

If you are an executor of a will and a death has occurred, a good place to start is BC Government After a Death Checklist.

 

However, administering an estate can be overwhelming, especially if the estate is complicated. If you are an executor and don’t have the time, or unsure how to proceed, there are services available to assist you:

• Speak with the funeral provider that you used for the deceased. Some providers will help(or know of help) with the administration of an estate for additional costs.
• Many law firms and trust companies provide executor assistance.
• There are online resources that help organize and manage the process of estate settlement.

 

It is important to research your options and find the one that best suits your needs. Make sure to understand the costs upfront before engaging assistance. Costs may vary depending on the complexity and size of an estate.

 

Register your will

It may be a good idea to register your will. Registering your will can help make sure it can be found at the time of your death.

 

Register your will with the BC Vital Statistics Agency. The Agency does not keep a copy of the will, only the date on which the will was made and the will’s location. Cost is $17.00 per wills notice.