Your executor will thank you for this
You've chosen someone you trust to be your executor. That's an important step. But have you actually made their future job manageable? Here are five practical things you can do right now to make a huge difference.
1. Make a list of all your accounts
This is the single most valuable thing you can do. Your executor needs to know about every bank account, savings account, pension, investment, and insurance policy you have.
For each account, record:
- The provider's name
- The type of account
- The account number or reference
- How to contact the provider
Don't forget about old workplace pensions, dormant savings accounts, and Premium Bonds — these are commonly overlooked.
2. Record your important contacts
Your executor will need to speak to various professionals. Make a note of:
- Your solicitor (if you have one)
- Your accountant
- Your financial adviser
- Your GP surgery
- Your employer and HR contact
3. Write down your funeral wishes
Your Will might mention funeral preferences, but your executor needs to know these before probate — often within days. Write down whether you want burial or cremation, any specific locations, music choices, or other preferences.
This removes the guesswork during an already emotional time.
4. Deal with your digital life
We all have dozens of online accounts. Your executor will need to close or manage many of them. Consider recording:
- Email accounts
- Social media profiles
- Online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
- Cloud storage accounts
- Online shopping accounts with stored payment details
You don't necessarily need to share passwords — but knowing which accounts exist and how to contact the providers is invaluable.
5. Get an Executor Pack
All of the above — accounts, contacts, wishes, digital life — can be captured in a single, professionally organised document called a Executor Pack.
Rather than creating your own spreadsheet or folder system, an Executor Pack guides you through the process and produces a comprehensive, secure document that sits alongside your Will.
It's the easiest way to prepare everything your executor needs in one go.
Start today
You don't need to do everything at once. Start with a simple list of your bank accounts and build from there. Or, if you want to get it all done properly, order an Executor Pack and we'll guide you through the entire process.