Just Became an Executor? What to Do in the First Few Weeks

If you have just found out you are someone's executor, you are probably feeling two things at once: grief, and the quiet panic of not knowing where to start. Take a breath. Almost nothing has to happen today, and the job is more manageable than it looks once you break it into steps.

First, the things that genuinely come first

In the early days, the practical priorities are usually about people and security rather than paperwork. That tends to mean attending to the funeral and immediate wishes, making sure any property and pets are safe and cared for, and locating the original will so you know what you are actually working with. The rest can wait a little.

Then, build your picture before you act

Before contacting institutions, it helps to gather a picture of what exists: bank accounts, superannuation, insurance policies, property, shares, debts, and the everyday subscriptions and digital accounts that quietly keep running. You cannot notify or manage what you have not yet found, and this stage is where most executors lose the most time, because the information is scattered or unknown.

Notifying, protecting, and keeping records

As the picture comes together, the work becomes a series of steady tasks: notifying the relevant organisations, keeping what the person owned safe and insured until it is dealt with, settling debts and any final tax, and eventually distributing things according to the will. Through all of it, keep clear records of what you do and any money you spend, because you may need to account for it later.

You do not have to do it alone

Plenty of executors handle an estate themselves. Others bring in a solicitor or an accountant, especially when probate is involved or the estate is complex. There is no prize for struggling through the hard parts unassisted, and asking a professional a specific question is often the cheapest time you will spend.

A free roadmap to follow

We built the free Executor Toolkit for exactly this moment: a Day 1 to Month 12 roadmap, with notification letters you can adapt and an expense tracker to keep your records straight. It will not replace professional advice where you need it, but it gives you an order to work in instead of a blank page.

Download the free Executor Toolkit here.

And if reading this has made you think about your own family, The Estate Organiser is the one place to record everything so that, one day, nobody has to start from a blank page on your behalf.

Educational content only. Not legal, financial or tax advice. Estate laws vary across Australian states and territories. Always consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.