Choosing an Executor for Your Will in the UK (2026): Who to Pick and What to Tell Them
Quick answer
Appoint two executors — one primary, one substitute. Choose someone who is trustworthy, organised, and likely to outlive you. A beneficiary can be executor (and usually should be). Never surprise someone — ask them first. Give them a copy of the will location and a summary of your assets before you need it. Professional executors cost £3,500–£20,000; a trusted family member using a good executor guide costs far less.
What does an executor actually do?
Being an executor is not a honorary title — it is an unpaid administrative role with significant legal liability. An executor must:
- Register the death and notify institutions
- Find the will and apply for a Grant of Probate
- Value the entire estate (property, bank accounts, investments, personal assets)
- Complete inheritance tax returns and pay any IHT due — before probate is granted
- Collect all assets into an executor account
- Pay all debts in legal priority order
- Distribute the remaining estate to beneficiaries and obtain receipts
- Keep accounts and records for at least 12 years
This typically takes 6–12 months for a straightforward estate. An executor who makes a mistake — misses a creditor, distributes too early, misfiles an IHT return — faces personal liability for the resulting loss.
The 5 qualities to look for in an executor
Trustworthy
They will handle your money and assets, sometimes for 12 months. Dishonesty — or just different values — can devastate an estate.
Organised
Estate administration involves paperwork, deadlines, and careful record-keeping. A disorganised executor creates delays and missed deadlines.
Likely to outlive you
A spouse of similar age may predecease you. Consider a younger adult child, sibling or close friend as primary or substitute executor.
Level-headed
If beneficiaries disagree, the executor must manage the dispute professionally. Emotional involvement can cloud judgement at a difficult time.
Willing to act
Naming someone without asking them is unfair and can result in renunciation — they decline the role — which complicates probate. Always ask first.
How many executors should you appoint?
The practical answer is two.
| Number | Advantage | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| One | Simple — no coordination needed | If they die first or renounce, estate needs court appointment of an administrator |
| Two ✓ Recommended | Backup if one cannot act; practical coordination | Occasional disagreements, both must sign documents |
| Three | Further resilience | Coordination overhead; all must agree |
| Four (maximum) | Maximum resilience | Heavy coordination; rarely necessary |
Also consider appointing a substitute executor — someone who takes over if your primary executors cannot act. Name them in the will with the condition: "If [primary executor] is unable or unwilling to act, I appoint [substitute] to act in their place."
Family member vs professional executor
Most people appoint a family member (spouse, adult child, or sibling). For most straightforward estates, this is the right choice — family members understand the family context and do not charge fees.
A professional executor (solicitor, bank, or trust company) makes sense when:
- The estate is complex — business interests, overseas assets, or trusts
- There are no suitable family members or the family cannot work together
- You expect a beneficiary to challenge the will
- Your estate includes assets that require specialist expertise to value or manage
Professional executors charge significantly. Solicitors typically charge £3,500–£10,000 for full estate administration, or 1–2% of the estate value — meaning a £500,000 estate could cost £5,000–£10,000 in executor fees. Banks charge similar rates.
A family member executor using a good executor guide can manage the same work for the cost of the guide (£25 from WillSafe UK) plus any external solicitor fees for specific tasks like conveyancing or contested IHT.
What to tell your executor now
The single most useful thing you can do for your executor is tell them where everything is — before you die. Many executors spend the first month of estate administration just finding information that should have been documented.
Tell your executor:
- ✓ Where your will is stored (and who has the original)
- ✓ Your main assets — bank accounts, savings, investments, property
- ✓ Your pension providers and reference numbers
- ✓ Your life insurance policies
- ✓ Any significant debts or liabilities
- ✓ Your funeral wishes (or where your Funeral Wishes Planner is)
- ✓ Passwords to email and key online accounts (or your Digital Legacy Inventory)
- ✓ Whether you hold any property as joint tenants or tenants in common
The WillSafe UK Executor Guide (£25) is designed to be given to your named executor so they have a complete 12-month operational walkthrough — from the first 24 hours to final estate distribution. The Essentials Bundle (£89.99) includes the Executor Guide alongside the will kit, LPA guidance, letter of wishes, digital legacy inventory, and funeral wishes planner.
Removing or changing an executor
You can change your executor at any time while you have capacity, by writing a new will or adding a codicil. If circumstances change — your chosen executor moves abroad, becomes ill, or you fall out — update your will promptly. Do not rely on an informal conversation removing someone's executorship. Only a new will or codicil is legally effective.
If an executor has already been named in a will and the person dies, the executor can only be removed by the court (if they are acting improperly) or by renouncing themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Who can be an executor of a will in England and Wales?▼
Any person over 18 with mental capacity can be an executor. There is no requirement to be a solicitor or professional. A beneficiary can also be an executor — in fact, this is common. The only practical restriction is that the executor must be willing to act and must be alive (and still have capacity) when they need to apply for probate.
How many executors should I appoint in my will?▼
Two is the most practical number. One executor is vulnerable — if they predecease you or renounce probate, your estate has no one to act without court involvement. More than two creates coordination challenges (all executors must agree and sign documents). The legal maximum is four executors acting at any one time, though you can appoint substitutes.
Can an executor also be a beneficiary of the will?▼
Yes — this is very common in England and Wales. A spouse or adult child named as both executor and main beneficiary is entirely legal. The exception is witnessing: a beneficiary (or their spouse) cannot witness the will. Witnessing does not disqualify someone from being an executor — only from being a beneficiary.
What happens if an executor dies before the will-maker?▼
If a sole executor dies before the testator, and no substitute executor was appointed, the personal representatives of the executor may be able to act — but this is complex. The simplest solution is to appoint a substitute executor in the will, activated if the primary executor cannot or will not act.
Should I appoint a professional executor in the UK?▼
A professional executor (solicitor, bank, or trust company) makes sense if: the estate is complex (business interests, overseas assets, disputed debts); there are no suitable family members; or you expect family disputes. Professional fees are significant — £3,500 to £20,000+ or a percentage of the estate (1–2%). Most straightforward estates are better served by a trusted family member or friend using a good executor guide.
Can I change my executor after writing my will?▼
Yes. You can change your executor at any time by writing a new will or adding a codicil (a formal amendment). A codicil changing only the executor is a cheaper option than rewriting the entire will. Tell the new executor they have been appointed and tell the previous executor they have been removed — do not leave them to find out when you die.
What should I tell my executor now, before I die?▼
Tell them: where your will is stored; a summary of your main assets (bank accounts, property, investments, pensions); where important documents are held (mortgage deeds, insurance policies, share certificates); your funeral wishes; and any liabilities (debts, guarantees). The WillSafe UK Executor Guide is designed to be given to your executor so they have everything in one place.
Give your executor a fighting chance
The WillSafe UK Executor Guide walks your named executor through every stage of estate administration — from the first 24 hours to final distribution. Write your will and prepare your executor in one step with the Essentials Bundle.
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This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors. Last reviewed 13 May 2026.