Ontario Estates Law Practice Exam

The role of an estate trustee with a will is best described as a person named in the will. The estate trustee, often referred to in common terms as the executor, is responsible for administering the estate of the deceased according to the instructions and wishes outlined in the will. This includes a range of duties such as collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries specified in the will.

When a person creates a will, they typically name someone they trust to carry out these responsibilities, making it essential that the estate trustee is explicitly identified within the document. This designation emphasizes the importance of the estate trustee's role as a fiduciary, which means they must act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries, following the decedent's wishes as laid out in the will.

Other choices, such as a person designated by the government, a financial advisor, or a family member of the deceased, do not accurately capture the specific role of an estate trustee. While family members can indeed be named as estate trustees, this option is too broad and does not reflect the legal basis for the appointment, which is determined by the will itself. Similarly, while financial advisors may assist with aspects of estate planning or execution, they