Final answer:
The person named to carry out the instructions of a deceased person's will is known as an executor. This role is distinct from those of beneficiary, guardian, and trustee, and involves managing and distributing the deceased's estate as per their will or, if absent, state laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for a person named to carry out the instructions and requests of a deceased person's will is an executor. This individual is responsible for ensuring that the deceased person's final wishes as expressed in their will are fulfilled. If a person dies without a will, known as dying intestate, the distribution of their assets is determined by state intestacy laws. However, with a will in place, the executor serves a crucial role in managing the deceased's estate, which may involve working with heirs and trustees if a trust is involved. A will can vary in form, often resembling a letter of intent, and its execution is public, allowing the assets and beneficiaries to be known. In contrast, a trust allows for private transfer of assets, and upon death, becomes typically irrevocable with the executor and trustees working together to manage the estate in accordance with the deceased's wishes.