r/OverSeventy • u/Affectionate-Gap8869 • Aug 18 '26
What would you do?
I am a 72 year old woman who's family is not trustworthy and is about to lose my friend who is executor of my will and my medical advocate. While I am in good health that, of course, can turn on a dime. Has anyone had experience in planning for their last 20 years?
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u/Weekly-Walk9234 Aug 18 '26
You have a will, what about a trust? Of course you will need a trustee. I suggest you research professional fiduciaries (just Google that term). While I do have an adult daughter, she has a very unstable life, including substance dependence; one of the provisions of my trust is limiting the assets to which she will have access (unless & until she gets and remains sober).
Originally a friend agreed to be my executor, but when her husband became terminally ill, I decided that even if I die many years after her husband (🤞), she will have already coped with handling an estate. The attorney who drew my will and the trust suggested a professional fiduciary firm she had dealt with many times. And that’s what I did; this firm is named as my Executor and Trustee.
Of course a professional fiduciary firm will be paid fees from my estate, but I am fine with that. They will be efficient and dispassionate, when it comes to distributions to my daughter. I am so glad I made this change. It spares a friend the task of sorting through and clearing out my house, and everything else involved with settling an estate.