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What Does an Executor Do? A Step-by-Step Guide

Planning ahead · 9 min read · First published 2026 · Updated November 2026

A person signing a document with a pen
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

Being named executor can feel like an honor and a weight at the same time, and it often arrives just when you are grieving. If that is you, take a breath. You do not have to be a lawyer or a financial expert, and you do not have to do everything at once. This page walks you through the job, one step at a time.

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and country, so please check the rules where the person lived, and consider talking with a probate attorney.

Key points

  • An executor (also called a personal representative) is the person named in a will to settle the estate: gather the assets, pay debts and taxes, and give what remains to the people named in the will.
  • The job is mostly paperwork and patience. Probate commonly takes about a year, and sometimes longer.
  • You must act with honesty, fairness and care. As Nolo puts it, the law doesn't require legal or financial expertise, but it does require "the highest degree of honesty, impartiality, and diligence."
  • You can say no. You are allowed to decline, and even if you start, you can resign.
  • You can ask for help from an attorney, an accountant and family, and you may be entitled to payment for your work.

What an executor is

When someone dies, their property and debts have to be sorted out. The executor is the person they chose, in their will, to do that. If there is no will, or the named person cannot serve, the court appoints someone, often called an administrator.

The executor is a fiduciary, which means you must put the estate and the people who inherit first, keep good records, and avoid mixing the estate's money with your own.

Step by step

The order can vary by state and by the size of the estate. Here is the general path.

1. Find the will and get certified death certificates. You will need the original will and several certified copies of the death certificate for banks, insurers and government offices. Nolo suggests asking for at least 10 copies if you are handling the estate. how to get a death certificate

2. Take care of urgent matters. Secure the home, collect the mail, cancel or pause deliveries, and make sure any pets have someone caring for them. Pets are family, and they are grieving too. pet loss section

3. Find out whether probate is needed. Probate is the court-supervised process of settling an estate. Many assets, such as jointly owned property, accounts with a named beneficiary, and life insurance, pass outside of probate. Many states also have simpler procedures for small estates.

4. File the will with the court and be appointed. If probate is needed, you file the will with the local probate court and ask the court to confirm you as executor. The court usually gives you official papers, often called letters testamentary (or letters of administration if there was no will), that prove your authority. Banks and other institutions will ask for them. The names and steps differ by state.

5. Notify beneficiaries and heirs. You generally have to notify the people named in the will, and sometimes close relatives who would inherit if there were no will, such as a surviving spouse and children.

6. Secure and list the assets. Make an inventory of what the person owned: bank accounts, property, vehicles, investments, valuables, digital accounts and money owed to them. Keep the property safe and insured until it is distributed.

7. Get a tax ID and open an estate bank account. The IRS advises applying for an employer identification number (EIN) for the estate as soon as possible. You can apply online at IRS.gov. Then open an estate account to receive money owed to the person (final paychecks, refunds, dividends) and to pay the estate's bills. Do not use your own account.

8. Notify agencies and close accounts. Tell Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, the post office, the VA if relevant, pension providers, insurers and the credit bureaus. End leases and contracts. Cancel services and subscriptions. what to do when someone dies

9. Notify creditors and pay debts. State law sets how you notify creditors and how long they have to file a claim, usually about four to six months. You decide whether each claim is valid. Pay the legitimate debts and ongoing expenses (mortgage, utilities, insurance) from the estate, not out of your own pocket, and do not give property to heirs until the debts and taxes are handled. If the estate cannot cover all the debts, state law sets the order in which they are paid, so this is a good time to ask an attorney.

10. File the taxes. You will usually need to file a final income tax return for the person. The IRS also says that if the estate itself has more than $600 in gross income in a year, you must file an estate income tax return (Form 1041). Federal estate tax affects very few families: as of 2026, a federal estate tax return is required only when the estate is worth more than $15 million for someone who died in 2026. Some states have their own estate or inheritance tax.

11. Distribute what is left. Once the debts, taxes and expenses are paid, give the remaining property to the people named in the will, following its instructions. Keep receipts and get signed acknowledgments.

12. Close the estate. The court generally needs proof that debts, taxes and distributions are complete before it closes the estate. Keep your records for several years afterward.

How long does it take?

Probate commonly takes about a year, though a small estate may be quicker and a complicated one, or one with a dispute, may take much longer. It is okay if it feels slow. Much of the wait is for legal deadlines and for institutions to respond.

When to get a lawyer

Many executors handle the work alone, especially when the will is simple, the assets are ordinary, and they are the main beneficiary. Nolo suggests considering help if:

  • The estate has many types of property
  • There may be a significant tax bill
  • Family members may dispute the will
  • You feel overwhelmed or unsure

An attorney can answer your questions as you go, or take over the probate entirely. Fees may be hourly, a flat fee, or in some states a percentage of the estate, so ask about cost before you hire. An accountant can help with the tax returns.

Can I say no?

Yes. Nolo explains that a person named as executor can decline the role, and someone who has agreed to serve can resign at any time. If the will names an alternate, that person takes over. If not, the court appoints someone.

It is a good idea to decide before you accept, and to talk with the court or an attorney if you want to step away after you have begun. Saying no does not mean you did not love the person. Grief and a heavy to-do list are a hard combination, and it is fine to protect your own health.

Do executors get paid?

Executors are generally entitled to payment for their work. The amount is regulated by state law and depends on the estate and what the probate court considers reasonable. Many relatives and friends, especially those who are inheriting, choose not to charge the estate. If you are paid, the IRS says the fees count as income on your tax return.

You can usually be reimbursed from the estate for legitimate expenses, such as certified copies of the death certificate, court fees and postage. Keep every receipt.

Taking care of yourself

Being an executor while you grieve is a lot to carry. A few kind reminders:

  • You do not have to do everything in the first week. Most tasks have a longer timeline than you think.
  • Keep a simple notebook or folder. Write down every call, date and decision. It will save you later.
  • Ask for help. A sibling can handle one task, and a friend can sit with you while you make phone calls.
  • Take breaks, and let yourself grieve. Paperwork can feel like it keeps you from feeling, and sometimes it does the opposite and brings everything up.
  • Reach out if the weight becomes too much. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, U.S.). Veterans: dial 988 and press 1. Outside the U.S., find a local line at findahelpline.com. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

And if you are thinking about your own plans, the most generous thing you can do for the person who will one day serve as your executor is to write a clear will and keep your papers in order. Do I Need a Will? Living Wills: Why You Need One

Sources

Written by Words to Comfort

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