fbpx

Executor of Estate Explained: What to Do If You Don’t Have Anyone to Name

LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook

In one of my first planned giving discussions early in my fundraising career, I faced something I had never considered before.

Over lunch, a longtime donor hesitantly told me he had no one to serve as executor of his estate. He had confided in me about the strained relationship with his children and extended family, leaving him with a difficult decision. It was hard for him to talk about, and my job at the moment was, first and foremost, to listen.  

After he poured out his heart, it was my turn. Given that I am not an attorney, I could not give him advice; I could only lay out the options for a non-family member executor. There are a few options in this scenario:  

  • Hire a professional executor: An attorney or financial planner can serve as a professional executor for your estate. Their skills and experience to handle the tasks associated with estates make them a logical choice. 
  • Name a charity as your executor: A nonprofit can be named as the executor. The nonprofit will work with an attorney to fulfill the estate plan.  
  • Choose a trusted friend: One of the most important planned gifts of my career (find the story here), the executor was the person’s life-long friend. A friend can be invested in the process while avoiding familial drama.

 

As a nonprofit leader, the information and options you provide are invaluable. Your compassion and kindness go a long way in moments like these. 

Author: Michael Bittel

Michael@lifelegacy.io

Explore

Best Volunteer Management Software for Planned-Giving-Minded Nonprofits

When it comes to planned giving, relationships are everything. The more you understand a supporter’s history of engagement, their volunteer hours, the events they attend, and the causes they show up for, the more naturally you can invite them to build a legacy with your organization.
The right volunteer management software can help nonprofits connect the dots between service and philanthropy, turning engagement into long-term generosity. This guide explores what to look for when evaluating volunteer management platforms and compares several top options that make this integration easier.

Planned Giving Basics: What Every Nonprofit Leader Needs to Know

Planned giving is no longer a niche fundraising tactic. It has quietly become one of the most reliable, high-ROI revenue streams available to nonprofits today. And while major gifts and annual appeals often steal the spotlight, the data shows that planned gifts consistently deliver transformational impact.
If your organization is preparing for long-term sustainability, building or expanding your planned giving program is one of the most important steps you can take this year. Here is why.

Why 380 Years of Data Prove Your Nonprofit Should Prioritize Planned Giving This Year

If your nonprofit is looking for its next reliable growth engine, here is a surprising truth from nearly four centuries of data. Planned giving has been one of the most consistent, predictable, and mission-transforming revenue streams in philanthropic history. And thanks to the work of Dr. Russell James, whose 380-year analysis of American charitable bequest behavior remains the most comprehensive in the field, we can finally see the patterns clearly.
Spoiler. They all point to one thing. Planned giving is not emerging. It is enduring.
So let’s explore what four centuries of donor history can teach us.

Coming Soon!

Be the first to get notified when we go live with our will product.

[mc4wp_form id="1118"]