Who is legally responsible for managing the estate as per the directions in a will?

The executor is the individual appointed in a will to manage the estate of a deceased person according to the instructions outlined in that will. This role entails a variety of responsibilities, including paying off debts and taxes, distributing assets to beneficiaries, and ensuring that the deceased's wishes are carried out as specified in the will. The executor acts as a fiduciary, meaning they must manage the estate with a high standard of care and in the best interests of the beneficiaries.

While beneficiaries receive benefits from the estate, they do not have the authority or responsibility to manage the estate's affairs. An administrator refers to someone appointed to manage an estate when there is no will (intestate), and a trustee generally manages a trust rather than an estate, which operates under different legal principles. Therefore, the executor's legal authority and responsibility to follow the will's instructions make this choice the correct answer.