Can someone be appointed to manage their future estate?

Verified 17 November 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Yes, during your lifetime, you can appoint a person to manage your future estate. You can name a executor to enforce your wishes. You can, under certain conditions, entrust a agent with posthumous effect the task of managing your assets on behalf of your heirs. This is the case, for example, if one of your heirs is a vulnerable person or when the management of your wealth requires special skills. We present you the information to know.

Executor

It is up to you to define the tasks of the executor. They can be more or less extensive.

The executor may simply be responsible for ensuring the proper execution of your will.

It may also be required to take precautionary measures (inventory of the estate, sale of furniture to settle urgent debts, etc.).

They may also be responsible for executing your last wishes (receiving and investing capital, paying debts, sharing between heirs and legateesselling real estate, etc.).

You can freely choose one or more executors: an heir, a friend, a professional such as a notary, etc.

You can designate it in your will or in a separate document (written document that you date and sign).

The executor's mission ends no later than 2 years after the opening of the will.

However, the executor may ask the judge to extend his mission for a maximum of 1 year.

The executor must report on its activity to the heirs within 6 months of the end of his mission.

The mission of the executor is free of charge. However, the heirs of the estate must reimburse him for expenses incurred in the performance of his mission (for example, inventory costs).

You can also give or bequeath property from your estate to the executor in return for his activity.

Agent with posthumous effect

The posthumous agent is responsible for administering all or part of your estate in the interest of one or more of your heirs.

If your heirs have not accepted your estate, he can only perform protective or supervisory acts (settling debts, paying taxes for example).

Once your heirs have accepted your estate, the powers of the trustee are more extensive (for example, renting a building, having maintenance work done).

Each year, the trustee reports on its management to your heirs.

You can designate a agent posthumous effect only if the interest of one of your heirs or your assets are at stake.

This interest must be serious and legitimate.

Example :

If one of your heirs is a vulnerable person (minor, major under guardianship), you can appoint a proxy with posthumous effect.

This is also the case when the management of your assets requires particular skills (especially to manage a company).

You can choose the person you want (friend, heir, notary, lawyer, etc.) except the notary in charge of settling your estate.

The mandate must be written by a notary.

The appointed agent must accept this mission during your lifetime.

FYI  

If you have also appointed an executor, his or her decisions take precedence over those of your posthumous agent.

The mandate lasts 2 years maximum.

It can last 5 years when age, absence of legal capacity heirs or the need to manage professional assets justify it.

However, the trustee or an heir may apply to the court judge for an extension of the mandate.

Who shall I contact

The mandate of the authorized representative is free of charge. However, you can provide for his remuneration in the mandate.

Who can help me?

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