Choosing an executor is one of the most consequential decisions in your entire will. And if you’ve just been appointed executor of someone else’s estate, you may be wondering what you’ve taken on. This guide covers both sides of that question — what an executor actually does, what makes someone a good choice for the role, and what to do if you’ve been appointed and aren’t sure where to start.
What Is an Executor?
An executor is the person named in a will to carry out the deceased’s wishes after death. They are responsible for locating assets, paying debts, filing the final tax return, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries named in the will.
A person appointed in the will is called the executor. If no executor is named — or if the named executor is unable or unwilling to act — the court may appoint an administrator to handle the estate instead. The administrator has essentially the same duties but is appointed by the court rather than chosen by the deceased.
What Does an Executor Actually Do?
Most people underestimate the scope of the executor role. It’s easy to think of it as “handing out the money” — but that’s the last step of a long process. Here’s a more realistic picture of what’s involved, drawn from what a professional trust company (routinely named as executor in wills) has to do after a death:
- Gain access to the deceased’s home or apartment
- Sort and dispose of perishable and non-perishable food
- Empty, clean, and properly store the refrigerator and freezer
- Sort cleaning supplies, linens, clothing, tools, vehicles, books, and household items
- Search every drawer, pocket, envelope, and box to ensure nothing of value — savings bonds, jewellery, stock certificates, cash — is accidentally discarded
- Locate and secure all financial accounts, investments, and registered accounts (RRSP, TFSA, pension)
- Find and pay all outstanding bills, loans, and debts before any distribution can occur
- Locate all beneficiaries named in the will — which can take significant time if contact information is outdated
- File the deceased’s final tax return and obtain a clearance certificate from the CRA before distributing the estate
- Probate the will if required by the province
- Distribute the remaining assets to beneficiaries and obtain signed releases
Notice that distributing assets — the part most people think of as “the executor’s job” — doesn’t happen until everything above is complete. For a professional trust officer, this is a full-time job with institutional support. For a family member or friend doing it while managing their own work and family obligations, it’s an enormous undertaking.
Assessing the Assets of an Estate
One of the most time-consuming parts of the executor role is taking full stock of what the deceased owned. The obvious assets — savings accounts, investments, personal property — are usually straightforward. But estates often contain assets that aren’t immediately visible:
- CPP/QPP death benefit: If the deceased received Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan benefits, the estate may be eligible for a one-time lump-sum death benefit. This must be applied for — it isn’t paid automatically.
- Property in multiple locations: Did the deceased own property in another city, province, or country? Real estate outside the home province can complicate probate significantly.
- Loans owed to the deceased: Money lent to family members or friends may be a legal asset of the estate, even if informally arranged.
- Hidden or overlooked valuables: Check clothing pockets, closets, shelves, safe deposit boxes, and storage units. Items that appear ordinary may have significant financial or sentimental value.
- Digital assets: Online accounts, cryptocurrency, domain names, and digital files may have real value and require specific handling. See our guide on digital legacy planning.
- Undocumented investments: Older investments — particularly savings bonds, GICs, or stock certificates in paper form — may not appear in any digital record.
Being thorough at the asset assessment stage protects both the estate and the executor from liability later.
What Makes a Good Executor?
Whether you’re choosing an executor for your own will or deciding whether to accept the role yourself, the same qualities matter:
- Patience and organization: The process takes months, sometimes years. An executor who can’t manage paperwork and timelines will struggle.
- Financial literacy: Not every executor needs to be an accountant, but comfort with financial documents, tax filings, and banking is genuinely helpful.
- Discretion and neutrality: Family dynamics can become complicated after a death. An executor who takes sides or makes decisions based on personal relationships rather than the will’s instructions creates problems.
- Availability: A death often comes at a busy time. An executor needs to be realistically able to dedicate significant time to the role — especially in the first few months.
- Willingness to seek help: A good executor knows when to engage a lawyer, accountant, or estate professional rather than trying to handle everything alone.
You Don’t Have to Accept the Role
If you’ve been named executor in someone’s will, you are not legally obligated to accept. You can decline the role, in which case an alternate executor (if named) or a court-appointed administrator takes over.
Before deciding, ask yourself honestly: Do you have the time, energy, and emotional bandwidth to take this on — potentially while grieving? Do you have enough financial and administrative knowledge, or the willingness to learn quickly? Are you able to remain neutral if family members disagree about the estate?
If the answer to any of these is no, declining is a legitimate and responsible choice. The estate is better served by an executor who is capable and willing than by one who is overwhelmed from the start.
Naming Your Executor: What to Consider
When choosing an executor for your own will, keep the following in mind:
- Tell them in advance: An executor who is surprised by the role after your death is at a disadvantage. Have the conversation before finalizing your will and confirm they’re willing.
- Name an alternate: If your first choice is unable or unwilling to act, a named alternate keeps the process moving without court involvement.
- Consider a professional executor for complex estates: Trust companies and estate lawyers can serve as executors for a fee. For large, complicated, or contentious estates, a professional executor may be worth the cost.
- Don’t default to the oldest child or closest family member: The best executor is the most capable and organized person you trust — not necessarily the one with the closest family relationship.
Where Does WillKit Fit In?
WillKit walks you through the executor-naming process as part of building your complete Canadian will. You’ll choose your primary and alternate executor, understand what you’re asking them to take on, and ensure they’re named correctly in a legally valid document.
For anyone who has been appointed executor and wants a thorough guide to the role, the book So You’ve Been Appointed Executor by Canadian lawyer Elyssa Lockhart covers the full scope of executor duties in plain language.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Help My Executor?
You don’t need to see a lawyer to do that. Start by getting a wills kit, choosing your executor, and listing your wishes regarding your estate and non-estate assets. WillKit by Self-Counsel Press can help you do exactly that!
