Updated: June 2026 • Based on UK Law
What Is an Executor Information Pack?
An executor information pack is a private document that gathers everything your executor will need — your assets, accounts, policies, key contacts, and personal wishes — in one place. It sits alongside your will to make administering your estate faster and far less stressful.This guide covers what an executor information pack is, what to include, the will vs letter of wishes difference, with a free interactive executor checklist.
When someone dies, their executor has to find everything — bank accounts, policies, pensions, debts and passwords.
Too often that means hunting through drawers and old paperwork with no idea what exists or where.
A will says who gets what. It rarely says where anything is.
An executor information pack fills that gap — the practical map your executor actually needs.
Paired with a letter of wishes, it also passes on the guidance a will can’t.
✓ Leave your executor everything they need — in one place.
Record your assets, accounts, policies, key contacts and personal wishes, in a guided interview or a classic editor, with identical output.
Preview every section before you buy. → Build your Executor Information Pack
Prefer to do it yourself? Use our executor checklist as a basic guide.
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What Is an Executor Information Pack?
It’s a single, organised record of everything your executor needs to administer your estate.
Think of it as the instruction manual that sits beside your will — not replacing it, but making it workable.
A good pack typically records:
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- Assets and accounts — banks, savings, investments, pensions and property.
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- Debts and liabilities — mortgages, loans, cards and regular payments.
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- Policies and documents — life insurance, the will itself, and where to find it.
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- Key contacts — solicitor, accountant, financial adviser and close family.
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- Digital life — important online accounts and subscriptions to close.
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- Personal wishes — funeral preferences and guidance, via a letter of wishes.
None of this changes who inherits — that’s the will’s job. The pack just makes the executor’s job possible.
Will vs Letter of Wishes: What’s the Difference?
This is the distinction that confuses people most — and it matters.
A will is the legally binding document. A letter of wishes is private guidance that sits alongside it.
Your will:
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- Is legally binding when properly signed and witnessed.
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- Names your executors and sets out who inherits.
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- Becomes a public document once a grant of probate is issued.
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- Can only be changed by a formal codicil or a new will.
Your letter of wishes:
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- Is not legally binding — it guides, rather than directs.
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- Explains personal items, reasons and funeral preferences.
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- Stays private between you and your executors.
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- Can be updated any time, with no witnesses or formality.
If the two ever conflict, the will takes precedence — the letter cannot override it.
Why a Letter of Wishes Is Useful
A will is rigid by design. A letter of wishes adds the human context around it.
It’s where you explain who should receive sentimental items a will would never list individually.
It can record funeral preferences, and the reasons behind decisions — helping prevent family disputes.
Because it stays private and isn’t filed with the will, you can speak freely and update it as life changes.
For anything involving a trust or discretion, it’s how you guide your executors and trustees.
What an Executor Has to Do
An executor has a legal duty to act honestly, keep records, and treat all beneficiaries fairly.
In broad terms, the role means:
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- Identifying and valuing the estate’s assets and debts.
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- Applying for a grant of probate where one is needed.
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- Paying any inheritance tax and settling debts from the estate.
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- Distributing what’s left to the beneficiaries named in the will.
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- Keeping clear estate accounts throughout.
Inheritance tax is due within six months of the end of the month of death — interest is charged after that.
Executors are generally expected to finish within about a year, often called the “executor’s year”.
First Things an Executor Should Do
The first practical step is registering the death — within five days in England and Wales.
Next, locate the will and confirm you’re named as executor.
Then secure the property and any assets, and start gathering paperwork on accounts, policies and debts.
This is exactly where an executor information pack saves weeks — everything is already in one place.
Common Executor Mistakes
Most executor problems come from missing information or moving too fast.
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- Distributing too early — paying out before debts, tax and possible claims are settled.
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- Missing assets or debts — because no record of them ever existed.
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- Poor record-keeping — leaving the estate accounts open to challenge.
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- Not communicating — leaving beneficiaries in the dark and causing disputes.
Almost all of these trace back to one cause: the executor simply didn’t have the full picture.
How Long to Keep Records
Executors should keep full estate accounts and supporting paperwork well after the estate is wound up.
Many professionals suggest keeping estate records for at least 12 years, because claims can surface long after distribution.
Good records protect the executor personally if a beneficiary or creditor later questions a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing an executor of a will should do in the UK?
Register the death — within five days in England and Wales — then locate the will.
From there, secure the property and start gathering details of accounts, policies and debts.
What does an executor need to do in the UK?
Gather and value the estate, apply for probate where needed, pay debts and tax, then distribute to beneficiaries.
Throughout, the executor must keep clear estate accounts and act in the beneficiaries’ interests.
Can an executor withdraw money from a deceased bank account?
Not freely. Banks usually freeze accounts on death until a grant of probate is produced.
Some banks release small balances without probate, but each sets its own threshold.
What does an executor have to disclose to beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries are generally entitled to know what they’re receiving and to see the estate accounts.
A residuary beneficiary can expect a fuller picture of the estate than someone left a single gift.
How long does an executor have to keep estate records in the UK?
There’s no single fixed rule, but many professionals advise keeping estate records for at least 12 years.
That’s because claims against an estate can be brought well after it has been distributed.
What are the most common executor mistakes?
Distributing the estate too early, missing assets or debts, and keeping poor records.
Most trace back to one thing — the executor not having the full picture from the start.
What’s the difference between a will and a letter of wishes?
A will is legally binding and becomes public after probate. A letter of wishes is private guidance.
The letter isn’t binding, but it helps executors understand your intentions and personal wishes.
What is the free estate executor spreadsheet?
It’s our free interactive executor checklist for mapping out an estate.
It’s a useful starting point; the full template builds a complete, organised pack for your executor.
Key Takeaways
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- An executor information pack gathers your assets, accounts, contacts and wishes in one place.
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- It sits alongside your will — it doesn’t change who inherits, it makes the estate workable.
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- A will is legally binding and public after probate; a letter of wishes is private and not binding.
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- A letter of wishes is the flexible way to pass on personal items, reasons and funeral preferences.
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- Executors must value the estate, pay debts and tax, distribute fairly, and keep clear records.
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- Most executor mistakes come from missing information — a complete pack prevents them.
The Truth About “Free” Legal Template Sites (What You’re Really Signing Up For)
Most websites offering a “free legal template” follow the same pattern:
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- You click because it’s advertised as free
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- You spend 10–15 minutes answering questions
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- At the very end, you must create an account or start a “free trial”
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- Your card is required upfront
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- The subscription auto-renews at £29–£39 per month
This isn’t a free template – it’s a subscription service. Many people only realise after being charged £300–£400 over the year.
Why These “Free” Templates Are a Legal Risk
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- Outdated wording: not aligned with current UK law
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- Missing mandatory clauses: required for legal validity
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- No compliance guidance: leaving users without legal context
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- No structured checklist: no way to verify the document works
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- Not kept updated: often unchanged when legislation changes
One incorrect clause can weaken or invalidate the entire document.
Hidden Problem: Many “Free Template” Sites Aren’t Even UK-Based
Another major issue: many free or auto-subscription template sites operate outside the UK, using documents drafted for the US legal system.
These are then loosely adapted for “international use,” which creates serious problems:
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- Incorrect terminology: taken from US contract law
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- Missing UK statutory references: essential legal requirements omitted
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- Non-applicable clauses: terms that don’t apply under UK legislation
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- Legal conflicts: risks breaching UK consumer, employment, or GDPR rules
Why Templates UK Does the Opposite
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- Drafted by UK professionals: written by experienced business & legal experts
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- UK-law only: no US crossover or generic “international” templates
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- One-time price from £10.00: no subscriptions, no renewals
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- Full preview: see the exact document before buying
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- Lifetime access: free lifetime updates included
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Last updated: June 2026
Disclaimer: This guide provides general UK legal information, not legal advice.
Probate and estate administration can be complex; this guide reflects the general position for England and Wales.
Laws are current as of June 2026.
