How do you ask someone to be your executor?
Start by explaining why you trust them and what the role involves. Give them a chance to think about time, administration and working with other executors. A useful opening is: “I am preparing my will and would like to ask whether you would consider being an executor. There is no need to answer today. Could we talk about what it might involve?”
An executor deals with the estate after death, including identifying assets and debts and distributing what remains. They may need probate and professional help. Ask first, check their details and discuss how they would find the original. Our executor guide explains the role in more detail.
A conversation before a decision
Executor conversation worksheet
You can ask someone to think about the role before naming them. These optional notes help you prepare and listen; they do not appoint an executor or record formal consent.
Explain that an executor handles the estate after death. Give the person time to decide and ask questions.
Discuss time, location, other commitments and when professional help might be needed.
Discuss other proposed executors, how they would work together and what happens if someone cannot act.
Explain how to find the signed original, contact details and a separate asset record. Do not record passwords here.
Record questions, contact details to confirm, and any decisions to discuss with the will writer.
These notes stay in this page and are not saved by SwiftWill. Use Clear notes when you finish, especially on a shared device. A downloaded text file is not encrypted: store it privately and never include passwords or bank security details.
Keep your plans current
Life-event will review checklist
Select changes you want to discuss or check. The checklist organises your next steps; it cannot read your will or decide whether it needs replacing.
Selecting nothing is not a clean bill of health for your will. For a planned marriage, a likely dispute, or uncertainty about someone who depends on you, seek advice promptly.
Add a private calendar event. Review sooner after marriage, a birth, separation or other major changes. This does not subscribe you to emails.
How do the worksheets work?
The executor worksheet gives five prompts: whether the person is willing, what would make the role manageable, who else would be involved, where the important information would be, and what to follow up. Your notes stay in the page until you download or clear them. The review checklist shows a next step for each life event you tick and adds four general steps to every download: find and read the current will, list questions, arrange any changes with proper signing, and update the location information for your executors.
Why do these life events matter for a will?
Some life events change how an existing will works in law, not just whether it still suits you:
| Event | Effect on an existing will |
|---|---|
| Marriage or civil partnership | Revokes the will, unless it shows it was made expecting that marriage (Wills Act 1837, s.18 and s.18B). |
| Divorce or dissolution | The will is read as if the former spouse had died on that date, so gifts to them and their appointment as executor fail (s.18A). Separation alone does not do this. |
| A new child | The will stays valid but may not name guardians or include the child; only a parent with parental responsibility can appoint a guardian. |
| An executor or beneficiary dies | Gifts and appointments may fail or pass to others depending on the wording. |
| A move or property change | A gift of a property you no longer own may fail, so check the wording; a home owned as joint tenants passes outside the will. |
| Five years since the last review | GOV.UK recommends reviewing your will every five years. |
What could a new home change in your plan?
Alex has moved and still wants the same friend to act as executor. Alex uses the worksheet to confirm the friend’s willingness and records where the original can be found. Alex also reviews whether the existing will mentions the old property as a specific gift. Updating this worksheet alone would not change that gift or any address in the will.
What should you review after a family change?
Sam has a new child and wants to revisit guardianship and inheritance wishes. Selecting the birth or adoption event produces a preparation prompt. Sam still needs to consider parental responsibility, speak to proposed guardians and arrange appropriate wording. If family arrangements or a dependant’s needs are complex, a professional should help.
Alex and Sam are illustrations of how the worksheets are used, not customer stories.
What should happen after your review?
If changes are necessary, follow a proper process for updating or replacing your will. GOV.UK says you cannot amend a signed will directly: you make a codicil, signed and witnessed like a will, or a new will that revokes the old one. Once a replacement is properly completed, update the practical information in your executor handover. Check pension and life-insurance nominations separately: your will does not necessarily control them.
Still choosing a route? Try the free will planner, compare free and donation-supported schemes, or inspect a clearly marked example document.
Sources
- GOV.UK: What to put in a will and when to get advice
- GOV.UK: Update your will
- GOV.UK: What to do when someone dies
- Wills Act 1837, sections 18, 18A and 18B
- Children Act 1989, section 5
- GOV.UK: Joint property ownership
These worksheets explain preparation, not the legal effect of a particular document.
Sources checked 24 September 2026.