You’ve Been Named Executor. Now What the Hell Do You Do?

First off—breathe. Getting named as the executor of someone’s estate can feel like a weird mix of honor, grief, and low-level panic. Whether it’s your parent, your sibling, your best friend, or someone who trusted you deeply, it’s a big responsibility. And if you’ve never done this before (which, let’s be honest, most people haven’t), it can feel like you’ve been handed the keys to a car without being told where you’re supposed to drive it—or how to even turn it on.

Here’s the deal: you don’t have to know everything. You don’t have to do it alone. But you are the one responsible for making sure things get handled. And that’s exactly what this is going to help you do.

What Does an Executor Actually Do?

In plain terms, you’re the person who’s legally in charge of settling someone’s estate. That includes everything from filing court paperwork and paying off debts, to making sure their money and belongings get passed along to the right people. You’re not a superhero—you’re more like the project manager of someone’s final to-do list. And yes, that includes the messy stuff.

This process happens under the supervision of the probate court, but the court isn’t exactly walking you through it step by step. That’s where legal guidance can be a game-changer. Think of a good attorney like your GPS—they help make sure you don’t miss a turn or end up in a ditch.

Where Do You Even Start?

If you’re feeling like “I have no idea what I’m doing,” that’s a sign you’re human. But here’s how to begin:

1. Get Legally Appointed.

Just being named in the will isn’t enough. You’ll need to be officially appointed by the court before you can do anything. Once that’s done, you’ll get legal documents (often called Letters Testamentary) that give you the power to act on behalf of the estate.

2. Secure the Goods.

Make sure the house is locked up, valuables are safe, and important documents are located. You’ll also want multiple copies of the death certificate (trust me, you’ll need more than you think).

3. Make a Master List.

You need to know what the person owned and what they owed. That includes bank accounts, retirement funds, properties, cars, credit cards, medical bills, the works. The court might require an official inventory, but even if it doesn’t, you need to have your arms around the full picture.

Handling Debts and Bills (Before Anyone Gets Paid)

Before you pass out Grandma’s jewelry or start writing checks to beneficiaries, you’ve got to pay off any lingering debts. Think: final medical bills, funeral expenses, taxes, loans, and any other open tabs. If the estate doesn’t have enough to cover everything, STOP. Don’t start guessing. There’s a legal order of priority for who gets paid first, and messing that up could put you personally on the hook.

Also? This is not the time to Venmo someone from your own account and figure it out later. You’ll want a separate estate bank account—clean, clear, and trackable.

Then Comes the Distribution

Once debts are paid and the court says you’re good to go, you can start distributing assets. That might mean transferring titles, liquidating accounts, or mailing out checks. Keep records. Like, obsessive-level records. You never want to be caught off guard if someone questions where a dollar went.

What Does “Wrapping It Up” Look Like?

When everything’s been distributed, you’ll file a final report or accounting with the court (what exactly is required depends on where you live). After that, you’re done. Really. Done.

Final Advice, Executor-to-Executor

• Give yourself some grace. No one instinctively knows how to do this. That’s why professionals exist.

• Keep everything separate. Your personal money and the estate’s money should never mix. Ever.

• Stay curious, not panicked. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if they feel obvious.

• Don’t wait to get help. It’s always easier to avoid a mess than to clean one up later.

If you’ve just been handed this role and your brain is already spinning, let’s talk. At Zachary W. Anderson Law, we guide executors through this process every single day. You don’t need to have all the answers—you just need someone in your corner who does. Contact me at 402-259-0059 or zach@zandersonlaw.com.