Being named an executor is a real responsibility, and it usually lands at a time when you are grieving and least able to face a to-do list. It helps enormously to see the whole job laid out in order, so you can take the next step without holding it all in your head. Here is what an executor actually has to do, start to finish.
First: register the death and find the will
- Register the death and order several certified copies of the death certificate.
- Find the will, which confirms you are the executor and names the beneficiaries.
- Arrange the funeral, which can often be paid from the person’s account before probate.
Our guide on the first two weeks covers this early stage in more detail.
Then: gather the picture
- List everything the person owned and owed: property, accounts, pensions, investments, debts.
- Notify banks, pension providers and insurers.
- Value the estate, which decides whether there is inheritance tax and whether you need probate.
Our guides on gathering the paperwork and valuing an estate go deeper.
Apply for probate if needed
- Work out whether you need a grant of probate. Our do you need probate check helps.
- Deal with any inheritance tax, which usually has to be handled before or alongside the grant.
- Apply to HM Courts and Tribunals Service, in England and Wales, for the grant.
Settle and distribute
- Pay any debts and taxes from the estate before anyone inherits.
- Collect in the assets, closing accounts and selling property if needed.
- Distribute what is left according to the will.
- Keep clear estate accounts showing what came in and went out.
Doing things in this order matters. Paying beneficiaries before debts and taxes can leave you personally liable, so gather first and distribute last.
Keep records, and get help if you need it
Executors can be held to account, so keep a clear record of every decision and transaction. You do not have to do it all alone; you can instruct a solicitor to handle probate, paid from the estate, especially where things are complex or contested.
Download the free checklist to work through the role step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be paid for being an executor?
Lay executors, such as family members, are not usually paid, though they can reclaim reasonable expenses. Professional executors, like solicitors, charge the estate.
What if I do not want to act?
You can decline before you start, known as renouncing, provided you have not already begun dealing with the estate. If you have started, it is harder to step back, so decide early.
Can I be held personally liable?
Yes, if you distribute the estate incorrectly, for example paying beneficiaries before debts and taxes. Following the right order and keeping records protects you.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Applying for probate, and Dealing with the estate of someone who has died
- HMRC: Inheritance Tax
