THE ROLE OF AN EXECUTOR
An Executor is a personal representative designated in your will to carry out your instructions after your death.
Your Executor will need to be approved by the probate court judge so that the Executor can carry out his or her duties. Your executor is also a fiduciary and as such is held to a strict legal standard. Trustee and Executor responsibilities are very similar in that they require knowledge of several disciplines such as tax planning, investment management, property management and an appreciation of asset values.
Practical duties include the collection, custody, and distribution of probate and non-probate assets. They settle all debts and expenses and determine the approximate amount to pay for estate taxes, probate fees, and administration costs. Probate fees in CA are set and "fixed" by statutory code and are the same for each attorney and personal representative depending on the size of the estate assets. (See "Helpful Articles & Links")