Your estate trustee is the person who will carry out the administration of your estate after death.
The starting point
The role can involve locating and protecting assets, dealing with financial institutions, addressing debts and taxes, communicating with beneficiaries, making court filings where needed, keeping records and distributing the estate.
What to be careful about
Choose someone who is trustworthy, organized and willing to take the role. Practical considerations can include age, location, family dynamics, financial judgment, ability to communicate and whether the person can act impartially when disagreements arise.
How a lawyer can assess the issue
It is usually sensible to consider an alternate in case the first choice cannot or will not act. Naming multiple estate trustees can provide shared decision-making but can also make administration more cumbersome if the people cannot work together.
Current Ontario context
The best choice is not necessarily the oldest child or closest relative. The decision should fit the estate and the people involved.
Before a consultation
Bring the documents that control the issue and a short chronology of important dates. Avoid sending original documents or unnecessary sensitive information through a general website form.