What does the form in appointing an executor of your will look like or is there one?

Answer 1

An executor is designated in the will itself: "I designate [or nominate or appoint] John Smith to be the executor of my will."

If the designated executor is not a spouse or adult child of the testator, it is useful to identify the proposed executor in some way or to give some reason for appointing such executor John Smith which subsequently be possible to corroborate in a court of law as why should this executor be appointed: "I appoint John Smith as executor of my Will. John Smith is my close friend having served as a fellow engineer in the MV Tampa during the period 1997 to 1998. " When the matter comes before the probate court, John Smith would only have to show the court his ship certificates or continuous discharge certificates (CDC) to actually prove he was with the deceased during that period, and as good friend the reason why the deceased chose him to be the executor.Unless there is a challeneg to the appointment, no identification documents are likely to be needed.

There are a lot of matters in proving a Will before a probate court. Not merely the witnesses, but also the surrounding circumstances. Many states now provide for a "self-proving" will, executed before a notary public by the testator and the witnesses. No explanation is necessary, as long as no one challenges the will.