Acting as an executor
Information on what you need to do if you have been made an executor in a will.
If you’re appointed as an executor, you’ll be responsible for many different tasks in dealing with the assets, accounts, and debts of someone that has died.
To start with, you may need to find information on:
- first steps, including what an executor does, finding a will and what to do if you are unable to be the executor
- getting help and support, including legal help to execute the will, as well as financial and grief support.
Once you start the task of executing an estate, you’ll need to know about:
- how to find and notify beneficiaries of the will
- how to find and protect assets
- applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration, depending on the circumstances of the will
- how to collect assets and pay debts
- how to distribute assets to beneficiaries, depending on if it’s money, personal property or real estate
- tax obligations, including lodging a tax return on behalf of the person who has died or if you’re a beneficiary
- what happens if there's a dispute or the will is contested.