What Does an Executor Do? Complete Guide to Executor Duties and Responsibilities

If someone has asked you to be the executor (or “personal representative” in some states) in their will, or you’re thinking about who to name as your own executor, you might be wondering what you're signing up for. Or if you're creating your own estate plan, you need to understand what you're asking of the person you choose.

An executor plays one of the most important roles in estate administration, yet most people have no idea what the job actually involves.

This guide explains everything an executor does, how long it takes, what it pays, and what to consider before accepting (or declining) this responsibility.

What is an Executor?

An executor or personal representative is the person named in a will to carry out the deceased person's wishes. They're responsible for managing the estate, paying debts and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

Think of an executor as the project manager for someone's estate. They coordinate all the moving pieces, make decisions, handle paperwork and ensure everything gets done correctly and legally.

For most estates, being an executor requires 20-100 hours of work over 6-18 months. For complex estates, it can take years and hundreds of hours.

The Big Picture: What Executors Actually Do

At a high level, an executor:

1. Gathers and secures assets

2. Notifies relevant parties

3. Manages estate finances

4. Pays debts and taxes

5. Distributes assets to beneficiaries

6. Closes the estate

Let's break down each of these responsibilities.

Step 1: Initial Responsibilities (Weeks 1-4)

Locate and Review the Will

Your first job is finding the original will. Look in:

• Safe deposit boxes

• Home safes

• Filing cabinets

• The attorney's office

• The deceased's important papers

You need the original document with original signatures. Copies won't suffice for probate court. With Herbie, you can identify in the platform where you keep your original documents and share that information with your executor.

Arrange the Funeral

Unless other arrangements were made in advance, the executor typically coordinates funeral and burial according to the deceased's wishes. This includes:

• Working with funeral homes

• Making burial or cremation arrangements

• Planning memorial services

• Paying funeral expenses from estate funds

Secure Property and Assets

You must protect estate assets immediately:

• Secure the home (change locks if needed)

• Ensure adequate insurance on property

• Protect valuables

• Care for pets

• Forward mail

• Maintain property (lawn care, utilities, etc.)

File the Will with Probate Court

In most states, you should file the will with the local probate court within a certain amount of time following death. This officially begins the probate process which will give you legal authority to act.

Step 2: Get Legal Authority (Weeks 4-12)

Open Probate

You file a petition with the probate court to be appointed as executor. This involves:

• Completing court forms

• Submitting the original will

• Providing death certificates

• Paying filing fees

• Potentially attending a court hearing

The court issues "letters testamentary" (or "letters of administration"). This is your official authorization to act on behalf of the estate. This could take a couple of weeks or several months depending on the location of death and how backed up the court is.

Obtain Multiple Death Certificates

You'll need official death certificates for:

• Banks and financial institutions

• Insurance companies

• Social Security

• Pension administrators

• Property transfers

• Each creditor

Order at least 10-15 certified copies.

Get a Tax ID Number

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the estate through the IRS. This allows you to:

• Open estate bank accounts

• File estate tax returns

• Handle financial transactions

Step 3: Notify and Communicate (Weeks 1-12)

Notify Beneficiaries and Heirs

State law requires you to formally notify:

• All beneficiaries named in the will

• All legal heirs (family members who would inherit under state law, called intestacy)

This notification must include information about the probate proceedings and their rights.

Notify Creditors

You must give public notice to creditors, typically by:

• Publishing a notice in local newspapers

• Sending direct notice to known creditors

• Providing information about the claims filing deadline

Creditors usually have 3-6 months to file claims against the estate.

Contact Government Agencies

Notify:

• Social Security Administration (to stop benefits and claim survivor benefits)

• Pension administrators

• Veterans Affairs (if applicable)

• Medicare/Medicaid

• Employer (if applicable)

Notify Financial Institutions and Others

Contact:

• Banks and credit unions

• Credit card companies

• Insurance companies

• Investment firms

• Mortgage lenders

• Utility companies

• Subscription services

Step 4: Manage Estate Finances (Ongoing)

Open an Estate Bank Account

You need a separate account for the estate's finances. Never mix estate funds with your personal money.

Use this account for:

• Depositing income to the estate

• Paying estate expenses

• Paying creditor claims

• Making distributions to beneficiaries

Create an Inventory of Assets

Document everything the deceased owned:

• Real estate and property

• Bank and investment accounts

• Retirement accounts

• Life insurance policies

• Business interests

• Vehicles

• Personal property and valuables

• Digital assets

If the deceased individual had Herbie, this will be a piece of cake, since all the important assets will already have been logged within the Herbie platform!

Get professional appraisals for:

• Real estate

• Businesses

• Collectibles and art

• Jewelry

You must file this inventory with the probate court, usually within a set number of days.

Maintain Property and Assets

While the estate is open, you must:

• Pay mortgages and property taxes

• Maintain insurance

• Handle repairs and maintenance

• Manage rental properties if applicable

• Make investment decisions to preserve value

• Protect assets from loss or theft

Keep Detailed Records

Document everything:

• All income and expenses

• Payments to creditors

• Communications with beneficiaries

• Actions taken and decisions made

You'll need these records for:

• Court accountings

• Tax returns

• Defending your actions if challenged

Step 5: Pay Debts and Taxes (Months 3-12)

Review and Pay Valid Claims

When creditors file claims, you must:

• Verify the claims are legitimate

• Determine priority (some debts must be paid before others)

• Pay approved claims from estate funds

• Object to invalid claims

Priority order typically:

1. Funeral and burial expenses

2. Estate administration costs

3. Federal taxes

4. State and local taxes

5. Medical bills from final illness

6. Other debts

File Tax Returns

You're responsible for filing:

Final individual income tax return: For the deceased's last tax year

Estate income tax return: If the estate earns more than $600

Estate tax return: If the estate exceeds federal exemption ($15 million per person in 2026) or a state threshold (certain states have state estate taxes; consult your accountant).

You may need to hire an accountant for complex tax situations. Estate funds can pay for professional help.

Pay Estate Taxes

If estate taxes are due, you must:

• Calculate the amount owed

• File returns on time (within 9 months)

• Request extensions if needed

• Pay taxes from estate funds before distributing to beneficiaries

Step 6: Distribute Assets (Months 6-18)

Wait for the Claims Period

Generally, assets aren’t distributed until: 

• The creditor claims period expires

• All debts are paid

• Tax returns are filed and accepted

• You receive court approval

Distribute Specific Bequests

First, distribute any specific gifts named in the will:

• Grandmother's ring to granddaughter

• Car to nephew

• Stamp collection to best friend

Get signed receipts from everyone.

Distribute Remaining Assets

After specific bequests, distribute the remainder according to the will's instructions. This might involve:

• Selling property and dividing proceeds

• Transferring assets directly to beneficiaries

• Distributing percentages of accounts

Handle Real Estate

If the will directs you to sell property:

• List the property

• Negotiate sale

• Complete closing

• Distribute proceeds

If property goes to beneficiaries directly:

• Transfer deeds

• Ensure clear title

• Handle any mortgages

Step 7: Close the Estate (Months 12-18+)

Prepare Final Accounting

Create a detailed report showing:

• All assets at date of death

• Income earned by the estate

• Expenses paid

• Distributions to beneficiaries

• Remaining assets if any

File this with the probate court and provide copies to beneficiaries. Sometimes there are less formal procedures for the accounting. This will depend on which state you’re in, and also may depend on how adversarial the beneficiaries and other parties are.

Get Beneficiary Approval

Beneficiaries review and (hopefully) approve your accounting. If they object, you may need court hearings to resolve disputes.

Request Discharge

Once everything is complete and approved:

• File a petition to close the estate

• Request formal discharge as executor

• Receive the court's final order closing probate

This releases you from further liability and officially ends your role.

How Long Does It Take?

Simple estates: 6-12 months

• No real estate to sell

• Few creditors

• Cooperative beneficiaries

• No tax complications

Average estates: 12-18 months

• Some property to sell

• Multiple accounts and assets

• Standard tax situations

• Normal complexity

Complex estates: 18 months to 3+ years

• Significant real estate

• Business interests

• Estate tax returns

• Disputes among beneficiaries

• Complicated assets

What Does an Executor Get Paid?

Executors are entitled to "reasonable compensation" for their work. This typically means:

Statutory fees (some states): A percentage of the estate value, often 2-5%

Reasonable hourly rate (other states): Based on time and complexity

Examples:

• $250,000 estate: $5,000-$12,500

• $500,000 estate: $10,000-$25,000

• $1,000,000 estate: $20,000-$50,000

Important notes:

• Executor fees are taxable income (unlike inheritances)

• Family members often waive fees, and some wills also direct that family members not take any commissions 

• You can decline payment and receive the inheritance tax-free instead

• Professional executors (attorneys, trust companies) typically take the full statutory fee or another amount agreed on by the parties

Can You Decline?

Yes! Being named in a will doesn't obligate you to serve. You can decline by:

• Filing a declination with the probate court

• Notifying the deceased's family

• Allowing an alternate executor to serve

Valid reasons to decline:

• You live too far away

• You don't have time

• You have health issues

• You're not comfortable with the responsibility

• Relationships with beneficiaries are strained

• The estate is complex and you lack expertise

It's better to decline than to do a poor job.

What Makes a Good Executor?

The best executors are:

• Organized: Can manage paperwork, deadlines, and details

• Trustworthy: Will act in the estate's best interest, not their own

• Financially responsible: Comfortable managing money and making financial decisions

• Emotionally stable: Can handle family dynamics during a difficult time

• Available: Has time to dedicate to the role

• Local: Lives near the deceased's property (helpful but not required)

• Communicative: Keeps beneficiaries informed and responds promptly

Getting Help

Executors can hire professionals and pay them from estate funds:

• Estate attorneys: For legal guidance

• Accountants: For tax returns

• Appraisers: For property valuations

• Real estate agents: For property sales

• Financial advisors: For investment decisions

You're not expected to be an expert – just to make good decisions and get help when needed. And the Herbie team is here to help too! With a Herbie One subscription, we’ll be there when the time comes to answer questions you have.

Choosing an Executor for Your Will

When creating your estate plan with Herbie, consider:

• Don't just pick your oldest child: Choose based on ability, not birth order

• Ask them first: Make sure they're willing

• Name an alternate: In case your first choice can't serve

• Think about location: Someone local can handle property matters more easily

• Co-executors: Can be helpful if they’re aligned, but unhelpful if they may argue or not work well with each other

• Consider professional help: For very large or complex estates

The Bottom Line

Being an executor is serious work, but it's also an honor. You're helping someone you care about ensure their final wishes are carried out.

If you're choosing an executor for your own estate plan, choose wisely. Pick someone responsible, trustworthy and capable. Ask them first. And make their job easier by creating a clear, organized estate plan.

If you've been asked to serve as executor, understand what you're committing to. It's okay to ask questions. It's okay to decline if you're not the right fit. But if you accept, know that you're playing a crucial role in honoring someone's legacy.

Create your will with Herbie → and choose an executor who's right for your situation.