Which term describes a party appointed in a will to handle the affairs of the deceased?

• A. Guardian ad litem
• B. Executor
• C. Garnish
• D. Habeas corpus

Answer: (B)

In probate, a party named in a will to handle the deceased’s affairs is the executor. The executor acts as the fiduciary who tomorrow collects the decedent’s assets, pays debts and taxes, and distributes the remaining property to the beneficiaries according to the will. In New York, the executor is typically granted letters testamentary by the Surrogate’s Court and may need to file inventories, accountings, and possibly post a bond, ensuring the estate is administered properly and in the beneficiaries’ best interests.

For context, the other terms refer to different legal roles not tied to winding up an estate: a guardian ad litem represents a party in a lawsuit (often a minor or incapacitated person) rather than handling a deceased person’s affairs; garnishment is the legal process of seizing a debtor’s wages or other assets to satisfy a judgment; and habeas corpus is a writ used to challenge unlawful detention.