What should an executor do in the first two weeks?
- Locate the original will (home, solicitor, bank, National Will Register) and any letter of wishes
- Ensure the death is registered within 5 days and order 4–6 certificates — how to register a death
- Submit Tell Us Once within 28 days
- Arrange the funeral — check the will for funeral wishes; the estate pays reasonable funeral costs first
- Secure property: locks, insurance (tell the insurer if empty), redirect post, cancel deliveries
- Freeze the paper trail: gather bank statements, pension letters, share certificates, premium bonds, deeds
How does an executor value the estate?
- Write to every institution with a death certificate; ask for date-of-death balances
- Value property (estate-agent appraisals are often free; pay for a RICS valuation if taxable)
- List debts: mortgages, loans, credit cards, utilities, care fees, overpaid benefits
- Check for gifts in the last 7 years — they affect inheritance tax
- Don't forget digital value: online accounts, crypto, marketplace balances — see digital legacy
Which tax forms and grant does an executor need?
- Complete IHT205 (excepted estates) or the full IHT400 with schedules
- Arrange payment of any IHT due — banks can pay HMRC directly under the Direct Payment Scheme
- Apply for the grant online or on PA1P (will) / PA1A (no will) — £526 over £5,000, copies £1.50
- Check whether you even need it first: do I need probate?
How does an executor collect and protect assets?
- Send sealed grant copies to every institution; close accounts into an executor account (never your own)
- Claim pension death benefits and life insurance
- Sell or transfer property; keep buildings insured until completion
- Place s.27 Trustee Act notices in The Gazette and a local paper (~£90–£110)
When does an executor pay debts and distribute?
- Pay in the legal order: funeral and admin costs, secured debts, taxes, unsecured debts
- Prepare estate accounts showing every pound in and out
- Pay specific gifts, then the residue as the will directs — or per the intestacy rules if there's no will
- Keep a reserve for late tax or creditor claims before final distribution
- Send every beneficiary a copy of the accounts
Where do executors most often get caught out?
The three classic traps: distributing before debts and tax are certain, using a personal account for estate money, and going silent on beneficiaries. All three are avoidable with a separate executor account, creditor notices and regular updates. Costs to reclaim are in probate costs, and the wider process in the probate guide.