Executor Information Pack

When someone dies, their executors have to find out what the person owned, what they owed, who needs to be told and where every document is kept. Without a clear record, that often means weeks of searching through paperwork, contacting dozens of organisations and hoping nothing has been missed.

An Executor Information Pack solves that. It is a single, organised place to record:

• Your bank and savings accounts, pensions, investments and Premium Bonds
• Property, mortgages, insurance policies and any debts
• Regular payments and subscriptions that will need cancelling
• Digital and online accounts, and what you would like done with them
• Key contacts — executors, attorneys, solicitor, accountant and people to notify
• Funeral wishes, pets, and where your will and important documents are kept

It is a private record you keep yourself. There are no witnesses and no legal formalities — just clear information that helps the people you leave behind.

These three documents are often confused, but each does a different job:

• A will is a legal document. It decides who inherits your estate, appoints your executors and can name guardians for children. It is binding when signed and witnessed correctly.
• A letter of wishes is non-binding guidance that sits alongside a will or trust. It explains how you would like things handled — for example who should receive sentimental items, or your reasons for a decision.
• An Executor Information Pack is the practical map. It does not give anything away. It simply records what you own, what you owe, who to contact and where every document, account and key is kept.

Put simply: the will directs, the letter of wishes guides, and the pack shows your executors where everything is. Completing this pack does not replace making a will — if you don't yet have one, see our Last Will & Testament and Letter of Wishes templates.

The pack is organised into 12 clear sections so nothing is missed:

• Personal & identity details — names, address, NI and tax reference locations, where certificates are kept
• Medical & care wishes — GP, NHS number, organ donation, location of any living will
• Will & legal documents — where the original will is, your solicitor, letter of wishes and LPAs
• Key contacts — executors, attorneys, solicitor, accountant, adviser and people to notify
• Accounts, assets, policies & liabilities — banks, savings, pensions, investments, property, insurance and debts
• Employer, income & benefits — including benefits that must be stopped
• Regular payments & subscriptions — what needs cancelling and how
• Digital assets & online accounts — a personal assets log, with your wishes for each
• Pets & their care
• Funeral wishes — burial or cremation, any pre-paid plan, music and readings
• Household, access & document storage — where keys and documents are kept
• Completion & review — where the pack is stored and when to review it

You can add as many entries as you need in the contacts, accounts, subscriptions and digital lists.

• Store it sensibly — somewhere your executors can reach without needing probate, and not in a bank safe deposit box.
• Tell your executors it exists and where to find it; you may want to give a copy to your solicitor.
• Never record passwords or PINs in the pack. Keep them in a password manager or sealed note and record only where to find them — this follows the Law Society's "personal assets log" guidance.
• Review it once a year, and after any major change such as moving home, changing bank or updating your will.

Helpful official guidance:

GOV.UK: What to do when someone dies

GOV.UK: Tell Us Once

GOV.UK: Lasting Power of Attorney