Insight

Factors to Consider when Selecting an Executor, Trustee, or Agent under a Power of Attorney

The decision of who you should select as the executor of your Last Will & Testament, trustee of any trust you create, or as the agent under your Power of Attorney (POA) is a difficult task and one that involves the consideration of numerous factors.

Selecting Executor, Trustee, Power of Attorne
Anthony J. Enea

Anthony J. Enea

April 25, 2017 01:35 PM

The decision of who you should select as the executor of your Last Will & Testament, trustee of any trust you create, or as the agent under your Power of Attorney (POA) is a difficult task and one that involves the consideration of numerous factors.

The one factor that should always be front and center is the trustworthiness of the individual to be selected. Whether you are selecting an executor, trustee or agent, the selected person should, if possible, be someone that you know very well and someone who you find to be trustworthy and honest.

Generally, this is not a difficult choice for married couples with have children and/or adult grandchildren. It is not uncommon for couples to select their spouse as an executor, trustee (where appropriate) or agent under a POA and with their children as the alternate or successor.

I often recommend that if a child is to be selected as a successor executor, trustee or agent under POA (and you have more than one child) that it is wise to select two children (if possible) so as to create an inherent system of checks and balances and avoid the possibility of one person being vested with too much power and authority. This promotes decisions being made after a discussion with the other executor, trustee or agent, and after consensus is achieved. This is particularly important with respect to agents under a POA wherein the selected agent(s) in many instances is given great financial powers including the power to gift assets to himself, herself and/or others.

Once the trustworthiness hurdle is met, the next most important factor is the business, financial and legal acumen of the individual to be selected.

As the role of executor, trustee and/or agent often involves the oversight, investment and management of stocks, bonds, cash and real estate, it is extremely helpful if the individual selected has experience managing money and assets. While it is not necessary that the individual be a financial professional or attorney, it is important that he or she have experience in managing his or her financial affairs successfully. Perhaps, a child that has filed bankruptcy or is a penniless artist sleeping on a friend’s couch may not be the appropriate choice.

While the executor, trustee and/or agent under a POA will generally retain an attorney, certified public accountant (CPA) and/or financial professionals (investment advisors) to assist and guide them, having an individual(s) who has personal knowledge and experience in financial and legal matters is invaluable. It is not unusual for a client when deciding between one child and another to be very concerned about hurting the feelings of a child by not selecting him or her, even though that child may be older than the child that would be the logical choice because of his or her knowledge and experience. If offending and/or hurting a child’s feelings is an important issue, then perhaps selecting co-executors, co-trustees and co-agents under a POA will be the solution. Selecting wisely rather than with emotion is of paramount importance.

Another important factor is the age and health of the individual selected. While it is important to select someone who is mature, financially savvy and experienced, selecting someone who is unlikely to survive your death and/or incapacity, or be unable to act due to their own ailments is not wise. Finding the appropriate balance between age, health and experience is important.

Additionally, the selection of executor(s), trustee(s) and agent(s) under a POA is a much more difficult task for individuals that do not have a spouse, children and/or adult grandchildren. For those individuals the same factors need to be considered, but, the choice in many instances will be between choosing a sibling, niece, nephew, cousins, friends, trusted legal professional, tax professional (accountant) and/or a bank or financial institution that would assume the necessary role. All too often for individuals without close family members the choice is often a difficult and arduous process of elimination.

One additional factor worthy of consideration is whether the selected executor, trustee or agent is also an individual who will be inheriting assets under your Last Will and/or Trust. Often selecting one or two of these family members who have a vested interest in the estate and/or trust is a safe bet, if they also satisfy the previously stated factors.

In conclusion, giving thoughtful consideration as to whom you are going to select is advisable. One of the first estates I ever worked on involved a multi-millionaire businessman who made the mistake of selecting seven executors and trustees who unfortunately disliked each other, leading to years of litigation.

Anthony J. Enea, Esq. is the managing member of the firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP of White Plains, New York. His office is centrally located in White Plains and he has an office in Somers, New York. His office can be reached at (914) 948-1500.

Mr. Enea is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association and is the Past President and a Founding Member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He is also a member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners of NAELA.

Mr. Enea is the President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association.

Trending Articles

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Effective Communication: A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher


by Jamilla Tabbara

The power of effective communication beyond the law.

 Image of Jefferson Fisher and Phillip Greer engaged in a conversation about effective communication

The 2025 Legal Outlook Survey Results Are In


by Jennifer Verta

Discover what Best Lawyers honorees see ahead for the legal industry.

Person standing at a crossroads with multiple intersecting paths and a signpost.

The Best Lawyers Network: Global Recognition with Long-term Value


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how Best Lawyers' peer-review process helps recognized lawyers attract more clients and referral opportunities.

Lawyers networking

Jefferson Fisher: The Secrets to Influential Legal Marketing


by Jennifer Verta

How lawyers can apply Jefferson Fisher’s communication and marketing strategies to build trust, attract clients and grow their practice.

Portrait of Jefferson Fisher a legal marketing expert

Is Your Law Firm’s Website Driving Clients Away?


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key website issues that may be affecting client engagement and retention.

Phone displaying 'This site cannot be reached' message

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Law for 2025 and Beyond


by Bryan Driscoll

A woman with a laptop screen reflected in her glasses

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends in Texas, Utah, Georgia and SC


by Bryan Driscoll

A fresh wave of medical malpractice reform is reshaping the law.

Medical Malpractice Reform Trends hed

Why Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk Want to 'Delete All IP Law'


by Bryan Driscoll

This Isn’t Just a Debate Over How to Pay Creators. It’s a Direct Challenge to Legal Infrastructure.

Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey standing together Infront of the X logo

Best Lawyers Launches CMO Advisory Board


by Jamilla Tabbara

Strategic counsel from legal marketing’s most experienced voices.

Group photo of Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board members

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025


by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

A pair of hands holding a checklist featuring a generic profile picture and the state of California

Common Law Firm Landing Page Problems to Address


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key issues on law firm landing pages to improve client engagement and conversion.

Laptop showing law firm landing page analytics

New Employment Law Recognizes Extraordinary Stress Is Everyday Reality for NY Lawyers


by Bryan Driscoll

A stressed woman has her head resting on her hands above a laptop

Best Lawyers Introduces Smithy AI


by Jamilla Tabbara

Transforming legal content creation for attorneys and firms.

Start using Smithy AI, a content tool by Best Lawyers

How to Create High-Converting Landing Pages for Your Law Firm


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how to create high-converting law firm landing pages that drive client engagement and lead generation.

Laptop screen displaying website tools to improve client conversion rates