What Does an Executor Do After Someone Dies?

The executor's job in plain terms

An executor is the person you appoint in your will to carry out its instructions after you die. They are responsible for the entire administration of your estate: finding out what you owned and owed, obtaining the legal authority to deal with it, paying what is due, and distributing what remains to your beneficiaries.

It is a significant undertaking. For a straightforward estate it typically takes six to twelve months. For complex estates, longer.

Step 1: Locate the will and notify people

The executor's first job is to find the original will and confirm they are willing to act. They notify the next of kin, the deceased's bank, and any pension providers. They register the death with the relevant authorities. They arrange the funeral — though the funeral wishes in the will are advisory, not legally binding.

Step 2: Value the estate

Before applying for probate, the executor must establish the full value of the estate. This means contacting every financial institution, getting a property valuation, identifying any outstanding debts, and accounting for any assets held abroad or in unusual forms.

If the estate is above the inheritance tax threshold, the executor must complete a full IHT account and submit it to HMRC. Inheritance tax must be paid before probate is granted — which can create a cash-flow problem, since the assets are technically frozen until probate arrives.

Step 3: Apply for probate

The executor applies to HM Courts and Tribunals Service for a grant of probate: the legal document that confirms their authority to deal with the estate. They submit the original will, the death certificate, and the completed inheritance tax forms. A fee is payable.

Once the grant arrives — currently taking eight to twelve weeks — the executor can formally act on all accounts and assets.

Step 4: Collect assets and pay debts

With the grant in hand, the executor closes accounts, transfers investments, and deals with any property. They pay all outstanding debts: mortgages, credit cards, utility bills, and any tax owed to HMRC. Debts are paid before any beneficiary receives anything.

Step 5: Distribute the estate

Once all assets are collected and all liabilities settled, the executor distributes what remains according to the will. Specific gifts go first. The residue is then divided among the residuary beneficiaries in the proportions the will specifies.

The executor prepares estate accounts showing what came in, what went out, and what was distributed. Beneficiaries are entitled to see these.

Can executors get help?

Yes. An executor can instruct a solicitor to handle some or all of the probate process on their behalf. The solicitor's fees come out of the estate. Many executors handle straightforward estates themselves using HMCTS's online probate service; others prefer professional help, particularly when the estate is large or complicated.

An executor who feels they cannot manage the role can also formally renounce before taking any action, leaving the court to appoint someone else.