I’ve been named as an executor. What do I do first?
If you have been named as an executor and your loved one has passed away, you are probably dealing with grief at the same time as a long list of tasks. But you don’t have to do everything at once.
In this guide, our probate solicitors explain what you need to do in the first few days and how a lawyer can take some of the weight off your shoulders.
This guide covers England and Wales; the rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The first few days
In the first few weeks, the priority is to ensure those who need to be notified of your loved one’s death are informed, and to keep their property and assets safe. This is when you’ll also start to build an understanding of what their estate looks like.
During this time, you will need to:
- Register the death. This needs to be done within five days, although it can take longer if the coroner is involved. To register their death, you will need the death certificate, which the doctor or hospital will give you.
- It’s a good idea to get extra copies of the death certificate, as banks, insurers and pension providers will require copies before doing anything.
- Use ‘Tell Us Once‘. This is a really handy service from the UK Government that lets you report a death to most Government organisations in one go.
- Notify the deceased’s banks (if you know them). The Tell Us Once service does not include banks, but the Death Notification Service does, so it’s worth starting there.
Find their Will
If you’ve been named as an executor, then there is a Will, but you may not necessarily know where it is kept or who made it.
If a search of their home doesn’t solve it, it’s worth trying the following:
- Enquire at local solicitors
- Use Probate Search (a fee applies)
- Search the National Will Register (a fee applies)
You will need a copy of the Will before you can apply for a Grant of Probate.
It’s also worth checking the Will to see who else is a named executor so that you can work together.
Keep their estate safe
Until you have a Grant of Probate, you are responsible for protecting their property and belongings. This includes:
- Securing their home and notifying their home insurer and/or landlord
- Collecting any post
- Ensuring any pets are looked after
- Notifying the DVLA if they had a car
It’s important that you do not sell or give anything away, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. You would be surprised at what people include in their Wills!
Get a picture of their estate
Make a list of what the person owned and, if possible, owed. As a starter for ten, this could include:
- Property
- Bank accounts
- Savings accounts
- Investments
- Pensions
- Life insurance
- Valuable items
- Credit card debt
- Utility bills
- Loans, e.g. car finance
All these assets contribute to the value of the estate, and you will need to share their value during the probate process.
What about Inheritance Tax?
If the estate is worth more than £325,000*, Inheritance Tax (IHT) may be due. Executors are responsible for making sure the tax is paid, and this must be done before probate is granted.
Some banks will pay it directly from the person’s account, which can help if you do not have enough money to front it yourself. Read more about who pays for probate and whether executors can claim it back.
Decide who will do the work
Being an executor doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. You generally have three options:
- You do it all yourself (not recommended if the person owned property and any assets; read more about the risks of DIY probate here)
- Ask a probate solicitor to handle some of the process, e.g. tax forms or the Grant of Probate application
- Ask a solicitor to handle everything for you
Who does what depends on the complexity of the estate. Generally, if the estate has no property or tax to pay, you could do probate yourself. However, if there is any property, tax to pay and/or a business, legal advice is key.
Instructing a probate solicitor is even more important if there are family disagreements or potential for a dispute further down the line; this can make the difference between a relatively smooth process and being involved in an estate dispute.
How we can help
You do not need to have all the answers before you speak to us. Our probate solicitors can talk you through what’s involved and where you might benefit from our help.
Call our friendly team on 0117 325 2929 or fill out our enquiry form.
* Figures correct as at October 2026
