Executor readiness, Australia-wide
Executor preparation, before the person you chose has to start from nothing.
Naming an executor in your will is only the first step. Executor preparation means making sure they know what the role involves, where everything is kept, and what you want, so they can act with confidence rather than guesswork.
Registered nurse, 20 years in aged care leadership
Telehealth consultations available nationally
Plain-language, non-legal guidance
Why executor readiness matters
Most executors are handed the role without a map
An executor is usually a family member or close friend, not a professional. They are often grieving, working, and juggling their own family when the role lands on them. Many have never seen the will, do not know which bank the accounts are with, and have no idea whether the estate will need probate.
Executor readiness changes that. When the information is organised in advance and the role has been talked through, the executor can focus on the steps that matter instead of spending weeks searching for paperwork. It also reduces the chance of misunderstandings between family members, which is often where the real stress lies.
Our guide how to prepare your executor covers the conversation in more depth. Executor preparation is part of the wider work of estate readiness, which also covers your healthcare wishes, decision-makers and document organisation.
Our founder, Jane Rooke, is a registered nurse with 20 years in aged care senior management. She has sat with hundreds of families at the hardest moments, and has seen first-hand how much a little preparation helps the person left holding the paperwork.
A general overview
What an executor is usually responsible for
Every estate is different, and the legal duties depend on the will and the law in each state or territory. In broad terms, an executor is often responsible for the following.
- —Finding the will. Locating the original, most recent will and confirming who has been appointed.
- —Notifying people and institutions. Banks, super funds, insurers, Centrelink, utilities and others.
- —Identifying assets and debts. Working out what the estate holds, what it owes, and how each asset is owned.
- —Applying for probate, if needed. Whether probate is required usually depends on the assets and how they are held. See probate preparation.
- —Paying debts and finalising tax. Settling what is owed before anything is distributed.
- —Distributing the estate. Passing assets to beneficiaries as the will directs.
This is general information only. For a fuller plain-language explanation, read executor responsibilities explained, and always confirm the specific duties with a solicitor.
Information gathering
Building an executor information pack
An executor information pack brings everything your executor will need into one organised place. It is not a legal document, but it is often the difference between a calm start and a chaotic one. Gathering it now, while you can answer questions yourself, is far easier than an executor trying to piece it together from bank statements and old letters later.
Where the documents are
The location of your original will, powers of attorney, advance care directive, property titles and certificates.
A financial inventory
Bank accounts, superannuation and nominations, shares, insurance policies, loans and debts, with enough detail to make contact.
Key contacts
Your solicitor, accountant, financial adviser, GP and anyone else your executor will need to speak to.
Personal and digital wishes
Funeral preferences, online accounts, subscriptions, pets and the personal matters a will does not usually cover.
We do not provide legal advice and we do not complete legal documents on your behalf.
Who executor preparation is for
- —Will-makers who want to make it easier. You have chosen someone you trust, and you want to give them a clear place to start rather than a box of unsorted paperwork.
- —People who have been named as an executor. You have agreed to the role and want to understand, in plain language, what it may involve and what information to ask for now.
- —Adult children supporting ageing parents. Often the executor and the carer are the same person. A guided session lets you raise the subject without it sounding like you want something.
- —Families spread across states. Telehealth means the will-maker, the executor and other family members can all hear the same information at the same time, which prevents most later disagreement.
Avoiding future estate administration issues
01
Talk to your executor now.
Check they are willing to take on the role, and tell them where the information pack is kept.
02
Keep the information current.
Accounts close, policies change and contacts move on. A yearly review keeps the pack useful.
03
Spot the gaps early.
An outdated will or a missing super nomination is far easier to fix with your solicitor while you can.
How we help
Executor preparation, guided or self-guided
Executor preparation is delivered through our Estate Readiness Consultation, which includes executor readiness, and through the Estate Readiness Workbook. If you are the executor yourself and want help getting prepared, you are welcome to book too. We are based in Adelaide, South Australia, and telehealth consultations are available nationally.
Estate Readiness Workbook
Self-guided, with a document locator, financial inventory, executor readiness and probate-preparation checklists. Instant download.
$99
Download the Estate Readiness WorkbookEstate Readiness Consultation
90 minutes by telehealth, including executor readiness, a full assessment, a printable workbook and folder, and a personal action plan.
$595
Book an Estate Readiness ConsultationIf the worst has already happened and the person lived in South Australia, see our estate administration support service. Care & Legacy Advisors are happy to go through the process alongside you.
Questions
Executor preparation, answered plainly
What is executor preparation?
Executor preparation means organising the information your executor will need and talking with them about the role before it is needed. It helps them start from a clear, organised position rather than searching for documents during a difficult time.
What does an executor generally do?
In general terms, an executor locates the will, notifies institutions, identifies assets and debts, applies for probate if it is needed, pays debts and distributes the estate according to the will. The exact legal duties depend on the will and the law in your state or territory, so a solicitor should confirm what applies.
What is an executor information pack?
It is an organised collection of the information an executor needs: where the original will is kept, a list of assets and debts, account and policy details, key contacts and personal wishes. It is not a legal document, but it saves an executor a great deal of time and stress.
I have been named as an executor. Can I book?
Yes. If you are an executor and want help understanding what you may be stepping into, or want to work through the information with the person who appointed you, you are welcome to book an Estate Readiness Consultation.
Do you act as an executor or give legal advice?
No. Care & Legacy Advisors is not a law firm. We do not act as executors, provide legal or financial advice, or prepare or lodge legal documents. We help organise information and explain the general process in plain language.
Someone has already died. Can you still help?
If the person lived in South Australia, our Estate Administration Support service gathers documents into a probate-ready pack for the estate's solicitor. Outside South Australia, we suggest speaking with a solicitor in the relevant state.
Is the consultation available outside Adelaide?
Yes. Telehealth consultations are available nationally, so the will-maker and the executor can join from different locations or even different states.
General information only, current at the time of writing. It is not legal, financial or medical advice and does not take your circumstances into account. Requirements differ between states and territories — please confirm the current position for your jurisdiction, and speak with a solicitor about legal questions.
Related guides
Executor preparation
How To Prepare Your Executor Before You Die
Naming an executor is only the first step. Here is how to prepare the person you've chosen so they can carry out your wishes with confidence and less stress.
Read the guide →
Executor preparation
Executor Responsibilities Explained
Been named as an executor, or choosing one? Here is a plain-language overview of executor responsibilities and how to prepare for the role.
Read the guide →
Probate preparation
Probate Checklist For Australian Families
A practical probate checklist to help executors gather the right documents, understand the steps and feel more prepared, whether working with a solicitor or not.
Read the guide →
Get your affairs in order, so your family isn’t left guessing.
Care & Legacy Advisors are happy to go through the process alongside you. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, with telehealth consultations available nationally.
Or email janerooke@careandlegacy.com.au