Can I name all my kids as co-executors?

Short answer

Yes, you can name all your kids—but they’ll have to agree on every decision and sign everything together. It’s slower and messier. Still, in some families, naming both is worth it to avoid fights about who got picked. If that’s your real risk, perception matters more than paperwork.

Long answer

Yes, you can name all of your kids as co-executors. Legally, there’s no issue. The real question is: what outcome are you trying to protect?

If it’s efficiency—getting things done with minimal hassle—naming one person is almost always cleaner. Co-executors must agree on everything, sign everything, and stay in sync the whole time. That slows the process down and creates friction if they handle things differently.

But most clients don’t name co-executors to make things efficient. They do it to avoid hurt feelings. To sidestep the politics of picking one child over another. To prevent one sibling from saying, “Why them, not me?”

And in many families, that perception-based logic matters more than the legal mechanics. A perfect plan on paper won’t matter if it fractures your family in real life. If naming both kids avoids years of resentment, it may be the right move, even if it somewhat complicates the process.

Just don’t guess. Ask them. “Would you want to do this job?” If the answer is hesitation or flat-out no, don’t force it.

And if you don’t trust anyone in the family to handle it cleanly or you want to avoid sibling rivalry and bickering, you have another option: name a neutral executor. A trust company can carry out your wishes without drawing any fire. No favourites. No fights. Just clean resolution that they have done thousands of times before.

The best executor is the one who can do the job and keep the temperature down. Sometimes that’s one child. Sometimes it’s both. Sometimes it’s no one related to you at all.

This content is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a lawyer about your specific situation.