Naming two siblings to manage an estate may seem fair. It gives both children a role and allows them to share the work. However, sharing this job can also lead to delays and conflict.
Sharing the work can offer benefits
Serving together can work well when siblings trust each other and communicate clearly. For example, they can divide tasks based on their skills. One sibling might handle bills and financial records while the other deals with property and personal belongings.
Having two personal representatives can also provide extra oversight. Each sibling can review important choices and help prevent mistakes. If one can no longer serve, the others may generally continue unless the will or a court says otherwise.
Sharing control can cause problems
While it has its benefits, naming siblings together does not always make probate easier. They may disagree about many things, such as how to manage investments or divide personal items. Also, distance, busy schedules and different views about money can also make cooperation harder. These factors, no matter how small, can slow down the estate process.
Fortunately, Washington law has rules for co-personal representatives on how to use their authority. They generally must act unanimously when managing estate affairs, unless the decedent’s will explicitly provides different instructions or grants distinct powers to individual representatives.
Choosing carefully can reduce conflict
Because every family is different, parents should think about how well their children work together before naming them as co-personal representatives. Clear instructions in an estate plan may also reduce confusion about their roles and responsibilities.
An estate planning attorney can explain how having co-personal representatives may affect a family’s estate plan. If a dispute later develops during probate, an attorney can also help siblings understand their duties and explore ways to resolve the issue.
