What Your Executor Actually Needs to Know — And How to Tell Them

When someone we love passes away, the people left behind are asked to do something extraordinarily difficult: manage a mountain of practical tasks while navigating grief.

If you've been named as an executor, you'll know this feeling. And if you've appointed one, you may not have thought about what you're actually asking them to do.

The good news? A little preparation now can make an enormous difference later.

What Does an Executor Actually Do?

In Australia, an executor is the person you name in your Will to carry out your wishes after you die. Their responsibilities can include:

• Applying for probate (if required in your state or territory)
• Notifying government agencies such as Centrelink, Medicare, and the ATO
• Locating and managing your assets — bank accounts, superannuation, property, investments
• Paying outstanding debts and expenses
• Distributing your estate to beneficiaries
• Closing accounts, cancelling subscriptions, and managing your digital footprint

It's a significant role — and it can take months, sometimes years, to complete.

The Problem Most Executors Face

Here's what most executors discover very quickly: they don't know where anything is.

They're searching through filing cabinets, guessing at passwords, calling banks without account numbers, and trying to piece together a financial picture from incomplete information. All while grieving.

This isn't a failure of love. It's simply that most of us never sit down and write it all out.

What Your Executor Actually Needs to Know

To do their job well, your executor needs access to far more than just your Will. Here's a practical overview:

Identity and Legal Documents

• Your full legal name, date of birth, and address history
• Tax File Number (TFN)
• Medicare number
• Passport and driver's licence details
• Birth, marriage, or divorce certificates

Financial Information

• Bank accounts and BSBs
• Superannuation funds and account numbers
• Investment accounts, shares, or managed funds
• Property details and mortgage information
• Any outstanding loans or debts
• Insurance policies (life, health, home, car)

Your Will and Legal Arrangements

• Where your original Will is stored
• The name and contact details of your solicitor
• Any Powers of Attorney or Advance Care Directives
• Funeral wishes or pre-paid funeral arrangements

Household and Practical Details

• Utility providers and account numbers
• Subscriptions and recurring payments
• Vehicle registration and insurance
• Pet care arrangements

Digital Accounts

• Email addresses and how to access them
• Social media accounts and your wishes for each
• Online banking login guidance (or where to find it securely)
• Cloud storage, photo libraries, and important files

Your Wishes and Legacy

• Funeral and burial preferences
• Messages for loved ones
• Sentimental items and who you'd like to receive them
• Any charitable wishes

How to Tell Them — Without an Awkward Conversation

You don't have to sit down and have a formal conversation (though that can help). What matters most is that the information exists somewhere your executor can find it.

A few practical options:

Write it all down in one place. A dedicated life planner or document organiser is the most effective approach. It keeps everything together, prompts you to think of things you might otherwise forget, and can be updated over time.

Tell someone where it is. Your executor doesn't need to read it now — they just need to know it exists and where to find it. A trusted family member, your solicitor, or a close friend can hold this information.

Review it regularly. Life changes — accounts close, policies lapse, relationships shift. Set a reminder to review your information every year or two.

Keep it secure but accessible. A locked filing cabinet, a fireproof box, or a secure digital folder are all good options. Avoid storing it only on a device that requires a password no one else knows.

A Thoughtful Way to Get Started

If you're not sure where to begin, the Australian Peace of Mind Planner – Botanical Luxe Edition was designed specifically for this purpose.

It's a beautifully organised, fillable PDF planner with 111 pages and 14 chapters covering everything your executor — and your family — might need. From identity documents and financial details to legacy messages and heirloom wishes, it walks you through each area with helpful prompts so nothing important is overlooked.

Created with Australian terminology and processes in mind, it's a practical and thoughtful way to get organised — at your own pace, in your own time.

Explore the Australian Peace of Mind Planner →

This article is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. Australian laws and processes vary between states and territories. Please seek professional advice where needed.