What Does an Executor Do First UK (2026): The First 8 Steps After Someone Dies

The first priority is to register the death (within 5 days in England and Wales) and obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate — you will need 5–10 copies to notify all institutions. While registering, also obtain the Tell Us Once reference number from the registrar — Tell Us Once notifies multiple government departments automatically. Find the original will immediately: it may be at the deceased's home, with their solicitor, or at the Probate Registry. Secure the estate assets (notify the property insurer, ensure the home is locked and insured, cancel standing orders for services that have ended). Do not distribute anything yet — your authority to act only exists once the Grant of Probate is issued.

Tell Us Once is a free government service that notifies multiple UK government departments and local council services of a death in one go. Available through the registrar at the time of registering the death. Departments notified include: HMRC, DWP (to stop pensions, benefits, and driving licence), Vehicle Licensing Agency, Passport Office, and the local council (for council tax and housing benefit). It does not notify private institutions (banks, utilities, insurance companies) — those must be contacted separately. Using Tell Us Once at the point of registering the death saves significant time and reduces the risk of overpayments or delays.

Notify banks and financial institutions as soon as you have death certificates — typically within the first week. Each bank will freeze sole accounts on notification (joint accounts pass to the surviving holder). Obtain an up-to-date balance from each institution for the estate valuation — you will need this for IHT and probate. Do not withdraw money from sole accounts without the Grant of Probate (most banks will not allow it, and doing so without authority is intermeddling). Some banks will release small amounts (below their threshold, typically £15,000–£50,000) without probate on production of the death certificate and a short statutory declaration. Credit card companies should also be notified to close the accounts.

Utilities (gas, electricity, water) should be notified promptly — they will close the deceased's account and rebill in the estate's name or arrange transfer to whoever is now responsible for the property. Cancel subscriptions (streaming services, gym membership, magazine subscriptions) as soon as possible to prevent continued billing — most will issue a partial refund for unused periods. You do not need probate to cancel subscriptions. Keep the property insurance in place — notify the insurer of the change in occupancy as soon as possible, as many policies have clauses about unoccupied properties. If the property will be empty for more than 30–60 days (insurer thresholds vary), check that cover is maintained.

An executor's authority arises from the will itself — unlike an administrator (who needs Letters of Administration), an executor technically has authority from the moment of death. However, in practice, most institutions will not deal with the estate without sight of the Grant of Probate. Before the Grant, an executor can: arrange the funeral, find and read the will, notify institutions of the death, obtain valuations, and take protective steps to secure estate assets. An executor cannot, before the Grant: sell estate property, withdraw funds from bank accounts (except perhaps small amounts via a small estate process), or formally represent the estate. Applying for the Grant as quickly as possible unlocks the ability to administer the estate.

If another potential beneficiary or claimant questions the will's validity, they may enter a caveat at the Probate Registry (form PA8, £3), which prevents the Grant from being issued while the dispute is resolved. As executor, you can respond to a caveat with a warning (form PA9), requiring the caveator to enter an appearance within 14 days or lose their caveat. If the caveat is not challenged, or if the parties reach agreement, you proceed to probate normally. If there is a serious validity challenge (capacity, undue influence), the matter may proceed to contested probate proceedings in the Chancery Division — seek legal advice immediately. See our guide to contesting a will for a full explanation of the grounds and process.

A straightforward Grant of Probate application (online, no queries, simple estate) typically takes 2–4 weeks. Queried applications take approximately 15 weeks. Once the Grant is issued, the executor can collect assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate. Typical total administration times: simple estate (2–6 months), estate with a property to sell (6–12 months), estate with IHT queries or disputes (12–24 months+). The executor must file an estate income tax return for the period from date of death to the end of administration, and obtain IHT clearance before distributing. The executor's year (12 months from death) is the period during which executors are not obliged to complete the administration — but most straightforward estates are wound up within this period.