Getting organised in 2026: useful information for your Executors
As we enter a new year, we often think about those tasks which we have been putting off. For many people, this may be getting around to seeing a solicitor about preparing their first Will, thinking about changes they want to make to an existing Will, or putting Lasting Powers of Attorney in place. But have you thought about the information you need to leave for your Executors?
The immediate days after someone has died can be overwhelming for their loved ones, so it is helpful for your Executors to know some key information to help get the estate administration process started.
1. The identity of your Executors
It is sensible to let your Executors know that you are appointing them at the time that you make your Will and to check they are happy with this. This can avoid later expense in locating Executors who do not know they are appointed, or Executors stepping down because they are not prepared to take on the role. It also means they know they are responsible for dealing with your estate when you die and take the necessary steps to get the process started.
2. Your Will and other important documents
One of the most important things you should tell your Executors is where your original Will is being stored. If this is with a solicitor, you should let them know any reference numbers so the Will can be easily located. If you update your Will, make sure you also update your Executors to make sure they obtain the most recent Will.
If you have a Letter of Wishes (a letter that often accompanies a Will and sets out who should receive personal possessions, such as watches, jewellery or other sentimental items after you die), you should also notify your Executor aware of its existence and where they can find it.
There are other, perhaps less obvious documents, that you should keep safe and in a place, easily found by your Executors. These include:
- A copy of your spouse’s Will and, where applicable, their Death Certificate and/or Grant of Probate. If your spouse dies before you, details such as the value of their estate and who benefitted under their Will are relevant for your own estate.
- Trust Deeds, including Settlement Deeds, Deeds of Appointment, Deeds of Appointment and Retirement of Trustees, Trustee Resolutions and any other trust documents you sign.
- Any other Deeds that you sign, for example, Deeds of Variation.
- Property Deeds
- Tax returns
- Any letters accompanying your Will, explaining why any people who may expect to be included in your Will are not.
These are important documents that may be useful in your lifetime, so you should make sure you have them readily available to you. You could store them together in an ‘important documents’ folder.
Where original documents are not available, keep copies and details of where the originals are being kept.
3. Funeral wishes
If you have any specific wishes for your funeral, whether that be where it is held, your choice of burial or cremation, or specific readings or hymns you would like at the service, you should make sure your Executors and loved ones know this. Funeral wishes can be set out in your Will, (though they are expressed as a wish and there is no legal obligation on your Executor to comply).
4. Details of your assets and liabilities
You may not want to share details of your finances with your Executors during your lifetime, but you should make a note of bank account numbers, investment details or other assets and inform your Executors as to where this is being stored. To deal with your estate, your Executor may need to report details of your assets and liabilities to HMRC or the value of your estate to the Probate Registry. Keeping a record with your personal papers will give them a useful starting point. Be sure to keep this updated as you open and close accounts, or buy or sell investments, so your Executors have information that is as accurate and up to date as possible.
If you have a financial advisor or accountant assisting with your finances, include their contact details too.
5. Gifts
If you die within seven years of making a gift, the value of that gift will be included in your estate for inheritance tax purposes, meaning it is possible that these gifts will need to be reported to HRMC and inheritance tax may be payable on their value. Your Executors will need to know details of these gifts, so you should keep clear records of any gifts made by you, including the exact date, details of the recipient and the value gifted. If making regular gifts out of income, you should also record details of your income and expenditure.
6. Details of your beneficiaries
You do not need to update your Will if you or a beneficiary change address. However, if a beneficiary no longer lives at the address given in the Will, it can be difficult for your Executor to contact them. We recommend that you keep a note of the most up to date contact details you have for your beneficiaries (including email addresses and telephone numbers), so your Executors can easily get in touch.
You do not need to let your beneficiaries know that they are named in your Will if you do not wish. You just need to make sure your Executors can contact them when the time comes.
Need legal advice?
Acting as an Executor can be a difficult role, so thinking about these matters now can help your loved ones in dealing with your estate after you die.
If you are thinking about preparing a Will or Lasting Powers of Attorney, or are an Executor needing assistance with administering an estate, please contact one of our experts today.
Share:
Looking to plan for the future and manage your assets?
Contact our Private Client team
Arrange a callHow can we help?
To get in touch with one of our legal experts please fill in your details.
Enjoy That? You Might Like These:
articles
articles