A person appointed in a will to carry out the deceased's wishes, manage the estate, pay debts, and distribute assets to beneficiaries. They have a fiduciary duty to act in the estate's best interests.
From Latin 'executor' meaning 'one who carries out,' derived from 'exsequi' (to follow out, accomplish). The term emphasized the executor's role in 'executing' or carrying out the deceased's final wishes as expressed in the will.
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