What Information Should I Leave for My Executor?

One of the most valuable things you can leave for an executor is a straightforward summary of what you own and what you owe: bank accounts, savings, pensions, investments, property, and any outstanding debts or mortgages. Without this, an executor often has to work it out gradually through bank statements and post, which takes time and can mean things are missed entirely.

This does not need to be a formal or complicated document. A simple list naming each provider and roughly what the account or asset relates to is usually enough for your executor to begin contacting the right organisations and requesting formal figures through the correct process.

Tell your executor exactly where your will is kept, and note the location of other key documents such as property deeds, insurance policies, pension paperwork and your passport or birth certificate, all of which are often needed during probate and estate administration.

If any of these are held digitally rather than on paper, make sure your executor knows this too, along with how they can access the relevant accounts or files when needed, without you needing to hand over sensitive login details in advance.

Leave a note of any professionals you regularly deal with, such as a solicitor, accountant, financial adviser or mortgage broker, along with their contact details. An executor who knows who to call saves significant time compared with searching for this information from scratch.

It is also worth noting any organisations you have ongoing relationships with that might need to be informed, such as an employer if you are still working, a landlord if you rent out property, or any clubs, subscriptions or memberships that involve regular payments.

Modern estates increasingly include digital assets: online banking, email accounts, social media, cryptocurrency, and subscription services. Tell your executor that these exist and roughly what they are, but do not write passwords or PINs directly into your will, since it can become a public document once probate is granted.

A password manager, or a secure note kept separately and explained to your executor in advance, is a much safer way to pass on access details than including them in the will itself or leaving them scattered across paper notes that could be lost or seen by the wrong person.

The most useful format is usually a single, clearly labelled document or folder, kept alongside or near your will, that your executor knows to look for. It does not need to be elaborate, but it should be current, since an executor working from years-old information about accounts you closed long ago is only marginally better off than one with nothing at all.

Set a reminder to review this information at least once a year, and update it immediately after any significant change such as opening a new account, paying off a mortgage, or changing your executor. A little maintenance now can save your executor weeks of unnecessary work later.