Everything you need to know about the executor of a will

What does an executor do?

An executor is a person you nominate to carry out the wishes in your will when you die. The duties of an executor include:

• Finding your assets, from physical objects to bank accounts, mortgages and pensions.
• Finding and contacting everyone named in your will, and making sure your money, possessions and property go to the right people.
• Wrapping up your affairs, including cancelling credit cards, notifying the bank and the council of your death, closing down any accounts and collecting any benefits.
• Dealing with your digital assets, for example notifying social media sites of your death or turning your Facebook account into a memorial page.
• Making any necessary payments, like mortgage payment and bills, and paying off any debts. The money for this will come out of your estate

What power does an executor of a will have?

Executors have the power to access all your bank accounts and personal finance documents, if you have died. This power, however, only extends to carrying out duties as an executor - in order to distribute your estate as described in your will (see below).

Does the executor have the final say?

Executors have the legal responsibility to act in the best interests of the estate and beneficiaries. In other words, your executors can’t just blow your whole estate on a 6-month cruise unless you specified those wishes in your will!

How should I choose an executor of a will?

It’s important to choose people you trust as executors. It’s a good idea to think carefully before choosing your partner as your executor. They’ll be dealing with your death and might find the executor duties an unwelcome burden.
We always recommend appointing two executors (see next section). If one of your executors is a partner or someone very close to you, the other person could be someone more practical who can help them out with the admin.

How many executors do I need to appoint?

Technically you only need to appoint one executor. Legally however, lone executors have restricted powers to deal with the property in your estate and are unable to sell it without appointing an additional executor. For this reason, we recommend appointing at least two people.
Can an executor of a will also be a beneficiary?

Any of your beneficiaries can also act as your executor, as long as they’re over 18 years old.

Can my lawyer be an executor?

There are some situations where a professional executor might be more appropriate, like a solicitor or accountant. This usually applies if you have a complicated estate, or if you think your family and friends might not want to take on the executor responsibilities. And non-professional executors can, and often do, delegate the day to day duties of dealing with the deceased’s estate to a solicitor or probate specialist. Although in this case the non-professional executor still remains responsible for ensuring the duties are done correctly. 

Bear in mind professional executors will charge for their service, which will be paid for out of your estate.