executor of will

What is the name of your state? Arkansas
Is it legal for someone other than the surviving spouse to be the executor of the deceased's will? Also, what rights would the surviving spounse have regarding the home, which was purchased before the marriage?

A person creating a Will need NOT name his or her spouse or child or beneficiary, and instead can name someone he or she thinks will be better able to do the job (such as an accountnat, business colleague, etc.) or who will be totally objective (if it is a second marriage, with kids from the first, naming the spouse may mean the kids could be treated unfairly, while naming the adult kids may mean the spouse possibly is treated unfairly).

As to what happens to the house, it all depends who owns it, how title is held and possibly what the Will says, such as if title is in the deceased's sole name.