What the roles mean
This guide covers England and Wales. For other UK systems, use our national guidance links.
Your estate is the money, property and possessions you leave. An executor deals with the estate. They find the will, check assets and debts, handle tax and pass on what remains.
A beneficiary receives a gift or share of the estate. Being named an executor does not, by itself, make someone a beneficiary.
If you are choosing an executor
Ask someone you trust before naming them. Explain the work and consider whether they have enough time. If you name more than one person, think about how they will work together.
You may choose a professional, such as a solicitor. Ask how they would charge. Discuss a suitable replacement if your first choice cannot act.
Tell your executors where the original will is stored. Keep a separate list of useful documents and organisations. Do not put passwords or account access details in your will.
If you have been named
Find the original will and any later changes, called codicils. Read them before taking major steps. If there are several executors, agree who will apply for probate when it is needed.
- Keep notes of calls, costs and decisions.
- Find out what the estate owns and owes.
- Check tax and whether organisations need probate.
- Do not give out gifts before checking debts, tax and claims.
A person’s LPA ends when they die. An attorney does not keep that authority to deal with the estate.
If you cannot or do not want to act
There are formal choices, including reserving a right to apply later in some cases or giving up the right. The correct route depends on the will and who else can act.
Read GOV.UK’s executor guidance before deciding. Get legal advice if the will is unclear, the estate has serious debts, or there is a dispute. You do not have to solve a complex estate alone.
Sources and page notes
Sources checked on 29 October 2026. These links explain the rules behind this guide.