An executor should know you well, understand what you want, and be able to serve in your best interest after your death.
However, they also need to have a number of other skills, because the job itself is quite demanding.
Do they have the right communication skills?
Forbes discusses the numerous duties that an executor actually has. Executors will essentially act as a manager of an estate plan, getting everything done on time and correctly.
They communicate with just about everyone else, including financial advisors or attorneys. They also handle your beneficiaries, which is often a stressful and emotional thing especially in the time period directly after your death.
Can they manage finances?
They manage your financial matters, too. This ranges from your final taxes to any outstanding debts you might still have at the time of your death. They manage bills, too. They will stop anything unnecessary, such as magazine subscriptions. They will also continue to pay off anything that is still needed and ongoing, like electricity or water bills.
They may even use assets from the estate to help pay for funeral arrangements if you did not see to them beforehand. They could pay for services, venues, and even things like head stones, caskets, flowers and catering for events.
Do they have what it takes?
This is a combination of tasks that requires a lot of skills. Patience, understanding, people skills, time management, self-management, a strong sense of responsibility and morality go into making a good choice for an executor.
It is important to truly think your choices through before picking one for this reason.