What does an executor do?
What is an executor?
An executor is the person named in a will to sort out someone's affairs after they die. In short, they collect everything the person owned, pay their debts and tax, and pass on the rest.
Who can be an executor
- Anyone aged 18 or over who can make their own decisions, such as family, a friend or a professional.
- An executor can also inherit under the will, and often does.
- Up to four can apply for probate, though one or two is more common.
A typical timeline
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| First week | Register the death, find the will, arrange the funeral, secure the home |
| First month | Tell banks and organisations, start listing what was owned and owed |
| Months 1 to 6 | Value the estate, report to HMRC, pay any tax, apply for probate |
| Months 6 to 12 | Collect money, sell property, pay debts, share out the estate |
You do not have to accept the role, but it is much harder to step back once you have started.
An executor's first steps after a death
The first few weeks are often the hardest. Focus on the urgent tasks first; most of the rest can wait until after the funeral.
- Register the death, normally within five days, and order several certified copies of the death certificate.
- Find the original will at home, with a solicitor or will writer, or with a storage service.
- Arrange the funeral. Costs can usually come from the estate, and many banks will pay the funeral director directly.
- Secure the home and tell the insurer it is empty.
- Use Tell Us Once to notify many government departments in one go.
Valuing the estate and applying for probate
You usually need a grant of probate before you can collect the money. First you must work out what the estate is worth and tell HMRC.
Write to every bank, pension provider and insurer for values at the date of death, and get property valued professionally. Then list what was owed, including mortgages, loans, bills and funeral costs.
Every estate must be reported to HMRC, even if no inheritance tax is due. Any tax is due within six months of the end of the month of death, and some must usually be paid before probate is granted. Most people then apply for probate online through GOV.UK.
Keep a record of every letter, call and value you collect.
Paying debts and sharing out the estate
With the grant, your job is to collect everything in, pay everything out, then pass on the rest.
- Open an executor's bank account and keep the estate's money separate from your own.
- Pay funeral costs, expenses, tax and debts first.
- Place a notice in The Gazette, the official public record, so unknown creditors can come forward.
- Hand over specific gifts, then share out what is left as the will says.
- Keep simple accounts and get a signed receipt from everyone who inherits.
Many executors wait six months after the grant before final payments, as this is the usual deadline for some family members to make a claim.
Executor responsibilities and when to get help
Executors can be personally liable for mistakes that cost the estate money, so know your duties and when to ask for help.
Common mistakes
- Paying out too early, before all debts and tax are settled.
- Missing the inheritance tax deadline, which adds interest.
- Selling too cheaply, especially to family, without proper valuations.
When to get help
- Inheritance tax is due, or there is a business or property abroad.
- There may not be enough to pay the debts, or the family disagrees.
- You live far away or simply do not have the time.
A professional can do as much or as little as you need, and their fees normally come from the estate.
How PJH Estate Planning can help
PJH Estate Planning can support executors at every stage, from the first few weeks to probate and sharing out the estate. We can do as much or as little as you need, and can also help you plan your own will. Find out what you could face in your current situation with our free Estate Health Check: 10 quick questions that show any gaps in your plans. You can visit our offices, or we can visit you at home.
Sources
General information for England and Wales as at October 2026. Not legal or tax advice.