Being an executor of an estate
An executor is the person responsible for administering an estate as wished by the person who passed away, through their will and the Succession Act 1981.
After you find and read the will, your duties as an executor may include:
- getting probate from the Supreme Court of Queensland, if required
- finding and notifying beneficiaries—people named in the will who receive something from the estate
- checking and protecting assets
- confirming insurance of assets
- collecting valuables and income
- determining debts and liabilities
- preparing tax returns and getting income tax clearances
- transferring or sales of assets
- preparing financial statements
- distributing the estate.
Read more about being an executor.
If you do not want to be an executor
You can turn down the responsibility (renounce the duty) if you are appointed as an executor.
For more information about the responsibilities, speak to your own solicitor or ask the Public Trustee to administer the estate instead. They will charge a fee to administer the estate and can give you an estimate on request.
You might also be looking for
More about:
A managing affairs after death checklist to help identify what needs to be done after a funeral.
Details from a death certificate to help you to notify organisations online that someone has passed away to close or transfer their accounts.
Other legal services
The Public Trustee can also do executorial work for you, including preparing land title documents.
Contact them for help:
- email clientenq@pt.qld.gov.au
- phone 1300 360 044