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A person named in a Will to oversee the disposal of the estate. Where there is no executor, it may be necessary for an administrator to be appointed (see: Administrator). An executor cannot charge the estate for his services, unless this is authorized in the will, although he may be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses.

Technically the executor becomes the legal owner of the estate of the deceased, although he is obliged to exercise the rights of ownership in accordance with the wishes of the deceased. The relationship between the executor and the beneficiaries of the will has some elements in common with the relationship between the trustee and beneficiary of a Trust.