Most people spend the bulk of their time writing a Will, deciding who gets what. That’s understandable. But the question that deserves equal attention is who will make it happen. That person is your executor.
The role isn’t ceremonial. Registering the death, locating the Will, valuing the estate, dealing with banks, paying debts, filing inheritance tax forms, distributing assets – all of it lands on one person, while they’re grieving. So, the choice matters.
The instinct is to go with the eldest child, a spouse, or a sibling. That’s often the right call, but not because of the relationship – it’s because of the person. A good executor is organised, calm under pressure, and reasonably comfortable with paperwork. Let this guide your choice.
When I work through this with clients, I ask a different set of questions: who in your life opens their post? Who meets deadlines without being chased? That usually produces a very quick answer – and sometimes a knowing smile.
It’s also worth appointing more than one executor and naming at least one substitute. People’s circumstances change.
Where an estate is complex, family relationships are strained, or no one feels confident taking it on, a professional executor is well worth considering – either alone or alongside a family member. A professional executor brings experience, impartiality, and the ability to handle everything calmly and efficiently, without the emotional weight family members carry. It genuinely does make the whole process more stress-free for everyone involved.
There are three things people rarely consider when they dismiss this option. First, liability: if an estate is not administered correctly, the executor can be held personally responsible for any claims brought against it. That’s a significant burden to place on a grieving family member. Second, continuity: if the person you’ve named is unable or unwilling to act when the time comes, the rules governing who steps in may hand the role to someone you would never have chosen. A professional executor means that can’t happen. Third, cost: most people assume a professional executor is an added expense. In practice, even family executors typically end up engaging a probate specialist to guide them through the process – so the overall cost is usually much the same either way.
The concern I hear most often is “I don’t want to burden anyone.” But leaving the executor role unfilled doesn’t spare anyone anything. It leaves your family to work through additional confusion, potential delays, and possibly court involvement on top of everything else.
The goal isn’t to find someone perfect for the role. It’s to find someone suitable – and to have that conversation before it needs to happen.
If you’re not sure who that person is, we can talk it through.
For confidential advice about Wills and Estate Planning, get in touch:
01277 562 567 | ian.nicholson@bwep.uk | www.bwep.uk