Legal Definitions - independent executor

An independent executor is a person named by a testator (someone who made a will) to carry out the provisions in the will. Unlike an ordinary executor, an independent executor can administer the estate with very little supervision by the probate court. This means they have more freedom to manage the estate and distribute assets to beneficiaries without having to get court approval for every decision.

For example, if a person writes a will and designates their spouse as the independent executor, the spouse can manage the estate without having to go to court for every decision. They can sell property, pay debts, and distribute assets to beneficiaries without having to get court approval for each action.

Only a few states in the West and Southwest allow testators to designate independent executors. However, lawyers can write wills that relieve a trusted executor from obtaining appraisals, providing inventories and surety bonds, and obtaining court approval "to the maximum extent permitted by law."