Being chosen as an executor indicates respect for your intelligence and fair-mindedness—but the job comes with challenges, hard work and maybe complaints. Should you say yes?

An executor must find all the assets of the deceased, and few people have left detailed records of what is where. Note: tax returns can help locate real estate, sources of income, investments and retirement assets. And the executor is expected to manage all those assets until the will is probated (if necessary) and the assets distributed among the heirs.

There may be questions—and disagreements—if the will leaves any grey areas. Stay calm; if necessary, consult a lawyer or bank to take over the process. The estate will pay for it.

Take all these issues under advisement when it comes to choosing an executor for your own estate. Find a person (or persons) capable, evenhanded—and willing.

For nearly 30 years, Mike Nickerson has owned and managed a small, full-service accounting practice in the Midcoast. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Southern Main and a master's degree in financial planning from Bentley University.

He is a past board member and president of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and currently serves on the Maine Board of Accountancy.

An aged rock musician, Nickerson now finds musical enjoyment playing upright and electric bass in a variety of bands spanning folk to jazz music genres. He and his wife have three grown children, and they enjoy their free time hiking, kayaking, golfing, bicycling and motorcycling.

http://www.nickersonpa.com/