Dear Liz: My older brother and his wife recently told me they made me the executor of their living trust. I have no experience with this. They live in Maryland and I’m in California. Can you please let me know what I can do now to make the process simpler when the time comes?

Answer: Your brother and his wife should have asked you if you would be willing to take this role, which is called “successor trustee” rather than executor when a living trust is involved. Just because they put your name in their document doesn’t mean you are required to serve. Their trust should name other people who can serve. If not, the court can step in to name someone.

Being either a successor trustee or an executor is often a big commitment that may last for years. You’ll be required to manage the trust a

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