What Executors Do

The law requires an executor because someone must be responsible for

• collecting the assets of the estate,

• protecting the estate property,

• preparing an inventory of the property,

• paying valid claims against the estate (including taxes),

• representing the estate in claims against others, and, finally,

• distributing the estate property to the beneficiaries.

These last two functions may require liquidating assets; that is, selling items like stocks, bonds, even furniture or a car to have enough cash to pay taxes, creditors or beneficiaries.