coexecutor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (Legal)
Quick answer
What does “coexecutor” mean?
A person who is appointed jointly with another or others to carry out the instructions of a deceased person's will.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is appointed jointly with another or others to carry out the instructions of a deceased person's will.
A person who shares the legal responsibility for administering an estate after someone's death, acting in conjunction with at least one other executor named in the will. In some contexts, it can refer to a person who jointly supervises or administers any project or trust.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'coexecutrix' for a female coexecutor, while dated, was historically used in both varieties but is now largely obsolete. The primary legal concepts and usage are identical.
Connotations
Same formal, legal connotation in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both legal contexts. The term is only used when specifically discussing the administration of estates.
Grammar
How to Use “coexecutor” in a Sentence
coexecutor of [estate/will]coexecutor with [person/entity]coexecutor and [trustee/beneficiary]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coexecutor” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her solicitor advised her to appoint her son and daughter as coexecutors for simplicity.
- The dispute between the coexecutors delayed the probate process considerably.
American English
- The will names his brother and his attorney as coexecutors of the estate.
- As a coexecutor, you have a fiduciary duty to all beneficiaries.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in business succession planning when a company owner's will names multiple individuals to handle their business assets.
Academic
Appears in law textbooks and journals discussing estate law, fiduciary duties, and probate processes.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of specific discussions about a will.
Technical
Core technical term in legal documents (wills, probate court filings, trust agreements).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coexecutor”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coexecutor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coexecutor”
- Mispronouncing it as 'co-EX-ecutor' (stress on first 'ex') instead of the correct 'co-ex-EC-utor'.
- Using it to refer to anyone who helps with a task, losing the specific legal meaning.
- Confusing it with 'co-trustee' (a related but distinct role in managing a trust, not necessarily a will).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, no. Most actions, like selling property or distributing major assets, require the agreement and joint signature of all coexecutors, unless the will specifically grants unilateral power.
An executor is the sole person appointed to administer the will. A coexecutor is one of two or more people appointed to do the job jointly. All coexecutors are executors; the 'co-' simply specifies the shared nature of the appointment.
It can be. Coexecutors are typically entitled to reasonable compensation from the estate for their time and effort, unless they are also a beneficiary and choose to waive the fee. Professional coexecutors (like lawyers or banks) always charge fees.
Serious disagreements between coexecutors can stall the administration of the estate. If they cannot resolve disputes, a beneficiary or one of the coexecutors may need to petition the probate court to intervene, provide instructions, or in extreme cases, remove a coexecutor.
A person who is appointed jointly with another or others to carry out the instructions of a deceased person's will.
Coexecutor is usually formal, technical (legal) in register.
Coexecutor: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊɪɡˈzɛkjʊtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊɪɡˈzɛkjʊtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CO-pilot of an EXECUTed will. Just as a co-pilot shares control of a plane, a coexecutor shares control of carrying out the will.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHARED KEYHOLDER. The coexecutors hold the key to the deceased's estate together; both are needed to unlock and distribute the assets properly.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is the term 'coexecutor' MOST accurately used?