Choosing an executor: the most important decision in your will
Who you appoint as executor matters more than most people realise. Here's how to pick well.
Leong Jun Jie · Founder & Estate Planner · View credentials →
Published 4 May 2026· 4 min read·Reviewed by a Singapore lawyer
Your executor is the person who carries out everything you wrote down. They apply for probate, deal with banks, sell or transfer property, and distribute your assets. They have a fiduciary duty to act in good faith — but they also have real power.
What to look for
Trustworthiness, organisation, and the willingness to do the work. They don't need to be a lawyer. They don't need to live in Singapore (but it helps). They should be younger than you, ideally, so they outlive you.
Most people pick a spouse or adult child. Some pick a close friend or a professional executor (banks and trust companies offer this for a fee).
Should you name a backup?
Yes. Always name at least one substitute executor in case your first choice can't or won't act. Rain Tree's flow includes this question by default.
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