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What Is an Executor and What Do They Actually Have to Do?
If you've been named as an executor in someone's will, you might feel a mix of things — honoured to be trusted, but unsure what it actually involves. Most people take on this role only once or twice in a lifetime, and almost nobody feels fully prepared. The good news: it's a well-established process, you don't have to do it all at once, and help is available whenever you need it.
What is an executor?
An executor is the person named in a will to carry out the wishes of someone who has died. Your job is to collect their assets, pay any debts and taxes, and make sure the right people receive what they've been left.
It's a legal responsibility, which means acting honestly, keeping clear records, and treating beneficiaries fairly. But thousands of ordinary people do it every year without a legal background. A will can name up to four executors, though one or two is most common.
Can an executor also be a beneficiary?
Yes, and it's very common. There's no conflict in being both the person who administers the estate and someone who inherits from it. In fact, wills frequently name a spouse or adult child as both executor and main beneficiary.
Do I have to accept the role?
No. If you don't want to act, you can formally step down — this is called "renouncing" — but you must do so before you start dealing with the estate. Once you've taken any action on the estate's behalf, even something small, you're considered to have accepted the role. If you renounce, the next person named in the will can step in.
What does an executor actually have to do?
The role breaks into a series of practical steps over several months. Here's what's typically involved, roughly in order.
Register the death and find the will
You'll need certified copies of the death certificate — order several. Locate the original will: check at home, with the deceased's solicitor or bank, or the National Will Register.
Arrange the funeral
Executors are often responsible for arranging the funeral. Check the will for wishes and any prepaid plan. Most banks will release funds to cover funeral costs before probate, on production of the death certificate and invoice.
Value the estate
Identify everything owned (property, accounts, investments, pensions, possessions) and everything owed (mortgages, loans, cards, bills). Get valuations, especially for property. Make sure any empty property is insured and secure.
Apply for probate
Unless the estate is small or everything was jointly held, you'll need to apply for a Grant of Probate — the legal authority to access the assets.
If the estate exceeds the inheritance tax threshold (£325,000, with additional allowances in some cases), you'll need to report it and arrange payment. Interest accrues from six months after death, so address this early.
Collect assets and pay debts
Once you have the grant, collect the assets and pay all debts before distributing anything. It's wise to place a statutory notice in The Gazette under the Trustee Act 1925, giving unknown creditors two months to come forward — this protects you from personal liability.
Distribute the estate
Once debts are settled and the notice period has passed, distribute what's left according to the will, and prepare estate accounts showing everything.
Can an executor be held personally responsible?
Yes — this is important to understand. Executors have a "fiduciary duty." If you make a serious error, such as distributing assets before paying debts or undervaluing the estate, beneficiaries or creditors could hold you personally liable for the loss.
This sounds alarming, but in practice it means being thorough rather than fast: pay debts before distributing, place the statutory notice, keep clear records, and get advice if anything is complex.
Do executors get paid?
Unless the will includes a "charging clause," you're not entitled to payment for your time. You can, however, claim back reasonable expenses — postage, travel, valuations, probate fees — from the estate. A professional executor (such as a solicitor) will charge a fee, paid from the estate.
How long does it take to administer an estate?
A straightforward estate usually takes six to twelve months from death. Complex estates — involving property sales, inheritance tax, missing beneficiaries, or disputes — can take twelve to eighteen months or longer.
What to do next
If there's no will, the same duties apply but you'd be an administrator — see our guide on what happens without a will. To understand the probate application itself, see our probate guide.
Being an executor touches almost every part of the process. To see how it all fits together, read our step-by-step guide to what happens after a death.
You don't have to work this out alone
Being an executor is a real responsibility, but it's one you can absolutely manage — and you don't have to do it unaided. Answer a few questions and First48hrs will give you a personalised plan for your situation, with the option to connect with a probate solicitor when you're ready. It's free.
This guide was last updated in July 2026. Processes and figures are set by government and can change — for the latest official guidance, see GOV.UK. First48hrs provides information and signposting, not legal or financial advice.
Estate Administration / The Executor - FAQ's
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