A: No, you’re not. While many people choose a family member or close friend who’s also a beneficiary, you can pick anyone you trust and feel is up to the task—whether that’s another family member, a trusted advisor, or even a professional like an attorney or a corporate trustee. The most important thing is to choose someone responsible and capable of handling the financial and legal duties of administering your estate or trust. It doesn’t matter if they’re inheriting from you or not, as long as they’re reliable and equipped to take on the job.
