Being chosen as an executor is a compliment, but it is also a responsibility. For a period after death, you are the person trusted to protect the estate, gather in money, pay debts and tax, and pass what remains to the right beneficiaries.
The job is manageable if you are careful. The risk comes from rushing, guessing, or treating estate money as if it is already the family's money.
Start with the property. If the deceased owned a house or flat, check the buildings insurance immediately. If there is no policy, arrange one. If there is a policy, tell the insurer the policyholder has died and check the empty-property conditions. Do not leave it sitting in the deceased's name and hope for the best.
Imagine Rachel in Newport. Her uncle dies leaving a £260,000 terrace house and very little cash. Rachel is executor. The boiler leaks two weeks later. If she has not told the insurer or met the policy conditions, the estate could suffer a loss and the beneficiaries may blame her personally. Paying an urgent premium and reclaiming it from the estate later may feel annoying, but it is often the safer route.
Caira by Unwildered can help executors turn the first anxious week into a practical checklist, and it is affordable at £15/month for families who need guidance before deciding what professional work to pay for.
Next, pause before distributing. Certain family members and dependants may be able to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Such claims are normally brought within six months of the grant of representation, though court permission can matter for late claims. If a child has been excluded or someone was financially dependent on the deceased, take advice before paying everything out.
Creditors are another risk. If you do not know the deceased's finances well, consider statutory notices under section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925. In practice, this involves advertising for creditors, commonly in The Gazette and a local newspaper. The notice period is at least two months. It does not erase debts, but it can help protect personal representatives who distribute without notice of a claim.
Now meet Sanjay in Birmingham. His aunt had store cards, an old loan, and unopened post. The beneficiaries press him to release £20,000 each. Sanjay should resist until he has checked debts properly. If he pays the beneficiaries and a creditor later appears, he may be left trying to claw money back from people who have already spent it.
Keep estate money separate. Once probate is granted and funds are collected, use a clean account for estate administration if possible. Do not mix estate receipts with your wages, savings or household bills. Keep every statement, invoice and receipt.
Caira by Unwildered is powered by AI and can help draft questions for banks, insurers, HMRC and probate providers, so you know what information to request rather than sending vague emails.
A basic executor protection plan looks like this:
Secure the home, valuables, keys, post and insurance.
Find the will and confirm who is acting as executor.
List assets and debts with date-of-death values.
Check whether inheritance tax reporting or payment is needed.
Apply for probate where required.
Consider section 27 notices if debts are uncertain.
Wait before final distribution where claims are possible.
Keep estate money separate and preserve records.
Prepare estate accounts showing money in, money out, expenses and final shares.
Ask beneficiaries to approve the accounts before final payment where appropriate.
Inheritance tax creates its own risk. More complex or taxable estates may need IHT400. If more assets are discovered, HMRC may need correcting. If a property sells for less than the probate value, there may be relief to claim in the right circumstances. Before final distribution in a taxable estate, executors often consider seeking inheritance tax clearance so they are not left exposed.
One more messy scenario: Beth and her brother inherit equally. Beth is executor and hires a firm that charges a percentage of the estate for work she could have done herself. Her brother may challenge whether that cost was reasonable. Executors can use professionals, but they should understand the fee basis and keep beneficiaries informed.
Caira by Unwildered offers instant chat and 24/7 help when an executor needs to slow down, check the next step, and avoid turning a well-meant decision into personal risk.
Insolvent estates, disputed wills, tax-heavy estates, missing beneficiaries, foreign assets and hostile families need more careful, case-specific handling before money is distributed.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal, financial, tax or medical advice.
