--- title: Am I an Executor or a Trustee? description: "Definition of estate planning terms: Trustee, Executor, Agent, Grantor and Beneficiary" image: https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/pexels-pixabay-267669.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/am-i-an-executor-a-trustee#main-content) [ (800) 394-1988 ](tel:8003941988) California Estate Planning since 1996 [![clarkallison_logo_dark_v1_for_light_bg](https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/clarkallison_logo_dark_v1_for_light_bg.png) ](https://www.clarkallison.com) - [About](https://www.clarkallison.com/aboutus) - [Estate Planning](https://www.clarkallison.com/california-estate-planning) - [Virtual Estate Planning](https://www.clarkallison.com/virtualestateplanning) - [Trust Administration](https://www.clarkallison.com/trust-administration) - [Advisors](https://www.clarkallison.com/advisors) - [Pricing](https://www.clarkallison.com/estateplanningcost) - [Blog](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog) [CONTACT US](https://share.hsforms.com/2fN-sZtACSSKCEEejwrQscw3bokj) - [About](https://www.clarkallison.com/aboutus) - [Estate Planning](https://www.clarkallison.com/california-estate-planning) - [Virtual Estate Planning](https://www.clarkallison.com/virtualestateplanning) - [Trust Administration](https://www.clarkallison.com/trust-administration) - [Advisors](https://www.clarkallison.com/advisors) - [Pricing](https://www.clarkallison.com/estateplanningcost) - [Blog](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog) - [CONTACT US](https://share.hsforms.com/2fN-sZtACSSKCEEejwrQscw3bokj) [estate planning](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/tag/estate-planning) # Am I an Executor or a Trustee? Definition of estate planning terms: Trustee, Executor, Agent, Grantor and Beneficiary [Clark Allison ](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/author/clark-allison) August 02, 2023 ![Am I an Executor or a Trustee?](https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/pexels-pixabay-267669.jpg) ## Table of Contents Many of our new clients think the person in charge of a living trust is called Executor. That's not quite right. Each document in a living trust estate plan has a different term for the person in charge. Living Trust. The Trustee is the person responsible for administering your living trust. Will. The Executor is the person responsible for administering your will. Most of the classic movies and novels about the reading of the will and the drama over who inherits the estate involve wills and not trusts. Therefore, you always hear or read about the Executor. Families using living trusts to avoid probate is a relatively new phenomenon. Living trusts started to become popular with the advent of the personal computer about thirty years ago. Until then, most people had a will and were resigned to probate. Durable Power of Attorney. The Agent is the person you authorize to act under your durable power of attorney. Health Care Directive and HIPAA. The Agent is the one you authorize to make health care decisions for you and to talk to your doctors. Grantor, Trustor, Settlor. These are synonymous terms that mean the person who created the living trust. Beneficiary. The beneficiary is the person who inherits, whether from a living trust or a will.   ### Share this article Written by ### [Clark Allison](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/author/clark-allison) ## More to Read [![The First 30 Days as a California Successor Trustee](https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/benoit-deschasaux-qigoBVqObSI-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/the-first-30-days-as-a-california-successor-trustee) trust administration ### [The First 30 Days as a California Successor Trustee](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/the-first-30-days-as-a-california-successor-trustee) July 26, 2026 [![What is a Successor Trustee in California? Duties, Authority, and First Steps](https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/microsoft-copilot-rIPVJ6dMOPI-unsplash.jpg) ](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/what-is-a-successor-trustee-in-california) trust administration ### [What is a Successor Trustee in California? Duties, Authority, and First Steps](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/what-is-a-successor-trustee-in-california) July 25, 2026 [![Selling an Inherited California Home: How Capital Gains Tax Really Works](https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/bc24e3db-e22d-4074-83d3-57208a9c8a76.jpg) ](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/capital-gains-tax-inherited-house-california) estate planning ### [Selling an Inherited California Home: How Capital Gains Tax Really Works](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog/capital-gains-tax-inherited-house-california) July 18, 2026 ![clarkallison_logo_dark_v1_for_light_bg](https://www.clarkallison.com/hubfs/clarkallison_logo_dark_v1_for_light_bg.png) 4944 Windplay Drive El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 (800) 394-1988 ##### Practice - [ Estate Planning ](https://www.clarkallison.com/california-estate-planning) - [ Trust Administration ](https://www.clarkallison.com/trust-administration) - [ Virtual Estate Planning ](https://www.clarkallison.com/virtualestateplanning) - [ Pricing ](https://www.clarkallison.com/estateplanningcost) - [ Advisors ](https://www.clarkallison.com/vc-advisors) ##### The Firm - [ About ](https://www.clarkallison.com/aboutus) - [ Blog/Articles ](https://www.clarkallison.com/blog) - [ Contact ](https://3bokj.share.hsforms.com/2fN-sZtACSSKCEEejwrQscw) ##### Offices - [ El Dorado Hills ](https://www.clarkallison.com/el-dorado-hills) - [ Roseville ](https://www.clarkallison.com/roseville) - [ San Luis Obispo ](https://www.clarkallison.com/san-luis-obispo) - [ San Diego ](https://www.clarkallison.com/san-diego) © 2026 Clark Allison LLP. 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