TSEM6079 - Legal background to trusts & estates: executors: the difference between executors and trustees

The basic function of personal representatives is to distribute assets. They gather in the deceased person’s estate in their hands. Then they pay the deceased’s debts and satisfy the claims against the estate, and distribute the estate assets to the beneficiaries under the will or under the rules of intestacy, as soon as possible.

In contrast, trustees have an underlying duty to hold onto property for the benefit of beneficiaries.