How to Choose the Right Executor for Your Will

Most people spend considerable time deciding who should inherit their estate and relatively little thought on who should administer it. Yet the executor carries significant responsibility: they are the person who deals with banks, HMRC, creditors, beneficiaries, and the Probate Registry in the months following your death. Choosing wisely makes a difficult time far easier for everyone.

What Does an Executor Actually Do?

An executor is the person legally responsible for administering your estate in accordance with your will. Their duties include:

• Registering the death and obtaining the death certificate
• Locating the will and notifying beneficiaries
• Valuing the estate — property, savings, investments, debts
• Applying for a grant of probate where required
• Paying debts, funeral costs, and any inheritance tax liability
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the will
• Keeping accounts and records throughout the process

The process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year for complex estates. It requires patience, organisation, and the ability to deal with institutions and family members simultaneously — sometimes under considerable emotional strain.

Who Can Be an Executor?

Any adult with legal capacity can act as an executor. Beneficiaries of your will can also be named as executors — in fact, this is very common. Your spouse, a sibling, or a trusted friend are all valid choices. There is no requirement for any legal qualification.

You can appoint up to four executors, though two is the most common arrangement. Having a backup executor — or naming a substitute — protects against the possibility that your first choice is unable or unwilling to act when the time comes.

What Makes a Good Executor?

The best choice is not necessarily the most senior, the wealthiest, or even the closest family member. A good executor is someone who is:

• Organised and methodical — the role is largely administrative and requires careful record-keeping
• Likely to outlive you — practical, but essential
• Willing to act — always confirm with your chosen executor before naming them
• Capable of managing family dynamics — disputes among beneficiaries fall to the executor to navigate
• Available to commit the time — for complex estates, this can mean months of work

Can You Appoint a Professional Executor?

Yes. A solicitor or bank can act as executor, usually for a fee charged to the estate. This is worth considering if your estate is complex, if family relationships are strained, or if you have no suitable individual to call on. A professional executor brings experience and neutrality — but their fees can be significant, so compare carefully. The Law Society's solicitor finder can help identify a qualified wills and probate practitioner.

Tell Your Executor Where the Will Is

A will that cannot be found is almost as damaging as no will at all. Once you have signed and witnessed your Wills Assured document, tell your executor where it is stored and give them a copy of the signing instructions. The original document must be kept safe — in a fireproof location, with a solicitor, or registered with the Probate Registry.