You may find yourself responsible for dealing with someone’s estate if they have chosen you as the Executor or joint Executor in their Will.

Your role is one of trust and responsibility, as you are being asked to act as a personal representative to administer the estate of the person in accordance with the terms of their Will after their death.

Examples of some of the tasks of an Executor:

  1. Collect the Will and register the death (within 5 days)
  2. Secure any property or valuables of the deceased
  3. Make arrangements with a local Funeral Director
  4. Check to see if the funeral has been pre-paid
  5. Get valuations of all assets at date of death
  6. Collect all the forms from the probate registry
  7. Return the completed forms with the Will and death certificate
  8. An appointment is set for you to swear an affidavit
  9. The Grant arrives and you can begin cashing in all assets
  10. Pay off any outstanding debts, funeral bill etc
  11. Pay any legacies and gifts mentioned in the Will
  12. Distribute the residuary estate