Executors and trustees owe a fiduciary duty to the heirs and beneficiaries of the decedent. A fiduciary duty consists of a duty of good faith and fair dealing, and a duty to act reasonably in handling the estate or trust. A fiduciary must always consider the best interests of the trust or estate before his or her interests. When an executor or trustee engages in self-dealing to the detriment of the estate or trust, fails to properly safeguard assets under his or her control, or fails to adequately account for actions taken on behalf of the estate or trust, there is a breach of fiduciary duty. The heirs or beneficiaries damaged as a result of a fiduciary’s actions can file a lawsuit against the executor or trustee, and under some circumstances, the executor or trustee can be held personally liable for the loss.