Should you choose a second executor?

Choosing one executor may be enough. But there are good reasons to consider choosing two.

Your executor is the person you trust to carry out the wishes in your will.

For many people, one executor feels like the natural choice. It might be a partner, sibling, close friend or family member.

But choosing a second executor can sometimes make things easier. It gives you another trusted person who can help, share the work or step in if needed.

Two people can share the job

Being an executor involves a number of practical tasks.

There may be paperwork to deal with, organisations to contact, property to manage and decisions to make along the way.

Having two executors can mean the work does not fall to one person alone.

They can support each other, divide up practical tasks and work through decisions together.

That can be especially helpful if your affairs include things like property, investments or several different accounts.

You are not relying on one person

A lot can change over time.

The person you choose today may not always be able or willing to act as your executor when the time comes.

They may have moved away, become unwell or simply be in a different position years from now.

Choosing a second executor gives your will more flexibility if circumstances change.

Different people bring different strengths

The people you trust may be good at different things.

One person might know your family well. Another might be especially organised or comfortable dealing with paperwork.

Choosing two executors can let you bring those strengths together.

You do not need to choose someone because they have legal or financial expertise. What matters most is choosing people you trust and who are likely to be comfortable taking on the role.

It can help with bigger or more involved affairs

Some wills are very straightforward.

Others may involve property, several financial accounts, a business, family arrangements or assets in different places.

In those cases, having two people involved can make the practical side easier to manage.

It also gives each executor someone to talk things through with.

Two executors will need to work well together

There is a practical side to choosing two people.

They will need to communicate, cooperate and make decisions together where required.

So it is worth thinking about the relationship between the people you choose, not just your relationship with each of them.

Two people you trust individually may not always make the best pair.

So, should you choose one or two?

There is no single right answer.

For some people, one trusted executor is the simplest choice. For others, choosing two feels more practical.

Think about the people you trust, the kind of affairs they may need to deal with and whether having someone to share the job would be helpful.

The important thing is to choose people who are likely to work well together and who you feel comfortable putting in charge of carrying out your wishes.

A second executor is not essential. But for some people, it can make a demanding job a little easier to share.