What Executors Actually Do: A Realistic Breakdown

Executor of Estate: A Breakdown of Legal, Financial and Emotional Duties

What really happens when you're named the executor of someone's estate?

When someone dies, there’s often a legal to-do list that gets passed to one person: the executor. The title might sound official but the reality is far more involved. It’s a mix of paperwork, financial decisions, legal steps, and emotional logistics that can take weeks, months, or even years to complete.

Whether you’ve just been named an executor or are trying to understand what the role includes, this guide walks through what it actually entails so you know what to expect and how to prepare.

What is an executor?

An executor of an estate is the person legally responsible for managing and distributing a deceased person’s assets according to their will (or, if no will exists, state law). Their core job is to settle the estate, but that simple phrase includes a lot more than you might expect.

Executor Duties: The Realistic Breakdown

Confirm the Death and Get the Death Certificate

• Make sure the death has been legally pronounced by a medical professional

• Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate from the funeral home or local vital records office

• You'll need these documents to access accounts, file with the court, and prove authority to act as executor

Keep in mind: You’ll likely need 10–15 certified copies of the death certificate for banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and other institutions. It’s often faster and cheaper to request them all at once.

Inventory and Secure the Assets

• Locate financial accounts, real estate, valuables, and personal property

• Get appraisals for significant assets

• Change locks, forward mail, and secure property if the home is vacant

  
  

Keep in mind: You’re essentially stepping into multiple roles: property manager, financial analyst, and investigator as you track down everything the person owned. Need help staying organized? Start with our guide on how to inventory assets efficiently.

Plan the Funeral and Memorial

• Coordinate burial or cremation logistics

• Honor any pre-paid funeral plans or written wishes

• Choose a funeral home and schedule services

• Notify friends and extended family

• Handle obituary publication and memorial decisions

  
  

Keep in mind: While not always a legal obligation, the executor is often the person others turn to for making these arrangements, especially if no one else steps up.

Legal Notification and Paperwork

• File the will with the probate court

• Notify beneficiaries and heirs

• Publish death notices (if required by state law)

• Work with an attorney (often necessary, especially for complex estates)

  
  

Keep in mind: This step initiates the probate process—a legal process that validates the will and grants the executor authority to act.

Inventory and Secure the Assets

• Locate financial accounts, real estate, valuables, and personal property

• Get appraisals for significant assets

• Change locks, forward mail, and secure property if the home is vacant

  
  

Keep in mind: You’re essentially stepping into multiple roles: property manager, financial analyst, and investigator as you track down everything the person owned. Need help staying organized? Start with our guide on how to inventory assets efficiently.

Pay Debts and Final Bills

• Open a dedicated estate EIN and bank account

• Pay funeral expenses, final utility bills, and outstanding debts

• File final income taxes and possibly estate taxes

  
  

Keep in mind: Creditors get paid before heirs. And yes, the executor has to figure out what’s owed and to whom.

Distribute the Inheritance

• Transfer money, property, and belongings to heirs

• Handle titles, deeds, and legal transfers

• Keep detailed records in case questions or conflicts arise

Keep in mind: Even “simple” estates can take months to fully close—especially if there are disputes, hard-to-locate assets, or delays in probate. To better understand how long the process can take, explore our estate settlement timeline: what to expect.

Close the Estate

• Submit a final accounting to the court

• Ensure all tax documents are filed

• Get legal confirmation that the estate is officially closed

  
  

Keep in mind: The executor’s responsibilities aren’t truly over until the estate is officially closed.

It's More than Just Paperwork

Serving as an executor isn’t just legal. It’s emotional. You may be grieving the loss of someone close while handling a complex, time-consuming, and often thankless job. That’s why we always recommend:

• Clear communication with heirs and family members

• Getting help from professionals: attorneys, accountants, estate settlement tools like End of an Era

• Keeping everything documented for your own protection

Who Should (or Shouldn't) Be an Executor?

While anyone over 18 can technically serve, a good executor is:

• Organized

• Trustworthy

• Calm under pressure

• Comfortable handling financial and legal tasks

If that doesn’t sound like you, that’s okay. Many people appoint a professional fiduciary, attorney, or trusted advisor instead or use a hybrid approach supported by digital tools.

Planning Ahead Makes it Easier for Everyone

Whether you're naming an executor or preparing to serve as one, the more organized the estate is, the easier the job becomes. A clear will, accessible digital vault, a collection of digital estate settlement tools and updated asset list can shave months off the process.

Want to help your future executor? Start with our Estate Planning Checklist.

Keep in mind: Even the most capable executor can’t manage what they can’t find.

Final Thought

Being an executor is a labor of love, but it’s also real work. Understanding the role, setting clear expectations, and using the right support can make the difference between chaos and closure.

End of an Era is here to help simplify that journey whether you’re planning ahead or settling a loved one’s estate!