When writing your Will, you'll find there are several roles you will need to consider - Executors being one of these. In this article, we outline the roles and responsibilities of an Executor and what you, as the testator, would need to consider when appointing them in your Will. An Executor is the name individual(s) in the Will who carries out your wishes and administers the estate upon their death. You're able to appoint up to four working Executors at one time, this can include professional Executors should you prefer. What are some of the responsibilities of an Executor? Collating all assets, ascertaining the value and keeping them insured if applicable Ensuring the estate is distributed correctly Maximising the estate for the beneficiaries by applying for the relevant allowances and reliefs available Identifying and settling all assets and debts before distributing any funds to the beneficiaries Paying Inheritance Tax, if applicable, which is due on the estate within the stated timeframes Applying for the Grant of Probate, if its required Finalising the Income Tax position of the deceased's estate from point of death till post-death distribution It is also worth noting that should any issues occur, the Executor(s) can become personally and financially liable for losses, therefore when appointing an Executor, you want to ensure you're choosing capable people. The Executors you've appointed have the option to instruct professional Executors should they wish, which is a helpful and necessary alternative in some cases. Professional Executors will charge for their service, but it does remove the liability and stress of having to manage administering the estate, and the onus of this responsibility is passed to the company you've instructed.