Being named as an executor in someone's will is one of the most meaningful things a person can do for someone they love. It means they trust you — completely — to handle their affairs when they're no longer able to.
But most people who are named as executors have never done it before. And when the time comes, they're dealing with grief, paperwork, and a legal system that wasn't exactly designed with clarity in mind.
This guide is for them.
What Is an Executor?
An executor is the person named in a will to carry out the wishes of the person who has died — legally known as the testator. If you're named as one, your job is to:
- Locate and secure the will
- Notify relevant institutions (banks, HMRC, pension providers)
- Apply for a Grant of Probate if required
- Collect and value all assets
- Pay any outstanding debts and taxes
- Distribute what remains to the beneficiaries
It sounds straightforward. In practice, it can take anywhere from six months to two years — and that's when the estate is well-organised. When it isn't, it takes longer.
Do You Have to Accept?
No. Being named as an executor in a will doesn't legally oblige you to act. You can renounce the role before taking any steps in the estate administration. If you're named alongside another executor, they can take on the role alone.
That said, most people do accept — especially when they've been chosen by someone close to them.
When Does an Executor Need a Grant of Probate?
Not always. Many smaller estates, or those where assets pass automatically (like jointly-owned property or life insurance with a named beneficiary), don't require probate at all.
You'll typically need a Grant of Probate when:
- The estate includes property in the deceased's sole name
- Financial institutions require it before releasing funds (most require it for holdings over £20,000–£50,000)
- There are shares or investments held in the deceased's name
The Grant of Probate is a legal document issued by the Probate Registry that confirms your authority to deal with the estate.
The Executor's Timeline — A Rough Guide
Executor Timeline at a Glance
- Register the deathWithin 5 days
- Notify banks, HMRC & pension providersWeeks 2–4
- Value the estate1–3 months
- Apply for Grant of Probate1–3 months after valuation
- Receive Grant of Probate8–16 weeks after applying
- Pay debts and taxesBefore distributing
- Distribute the estateAfter debts settled
Each step must complete before the next can begin. Well-organised estates typically complete in 6–12 months.
The process is heavily sequential — you can't distribute until debts are paid, and you can't pay debts until you have probate in many cases.
The Hardest Part
Ask anyone who's been an executor what they found hardest, and it's rarely the legal paperwork.
It's the phone calls. The filing cabinets. The trying to remember which bank held which account, or whether there was a pension, or what the login details were for the investment platform.
It's piecing together a person's entire financial life from scratch — while grieving.
This is precisely the problem Beqst is designed to solve. When someone organises their estate with Beqst, their executor gets access to a secure portal with all the information they need — accounts, documents, contacts, instructions — already in place.
Not a filing cabinet. Not a stack of letters. A clear, guided starting point.
If You're the Executor — Practical First Steps
- Find the original will — check at home, with a solicitor, or at the Principal Registry of the Family Division
- Register the death at the local register office (you'll need multiple copies of the death certificate)
- Notify the bank — this freezes accounts until probate is granted
- Contact HMRC via the Tell Us Once service — one notification covers most government departments
- Get a rough valuation of the estate — you'll need this for the probate application
You don't need to do this alone. Probate solicitors exist precisely for this. Professional estate administration typically costs 1–3% of the estate value, but can be worth it for complex situations.
The Difference a Little Preparation Makes
The estates that take six months are almost always the ones where the deceased had their affairs in order — a clear will, organised records, named beneficiaries, and an executor who knew what to expect.
The ones that take two years are the ones where nobody knew where to start.
If you're reading this as someone thinking about their own estate: the greatest gift you can give your executor isn't money. It's clarity.
Beqst helps UK families organise their estate so executors have everything they need, exactly when they need it. Start for free →