How many executors can a will have?

• A will can name up to four executors to be named on the Grant of Probate at the same time.
• Most people appoint one or two executors, plus at least one substitute executor in case their first choice cannot act.
• If an executor needs money to pay Inheritance Tax or other estate expenses before probate is complete, Provira’s Estate Advance can provide access to up to 50% of the net value of the estate within days.

A will can name as many executors as you like, but in England and Wales only up to four executors can legally act at the same time and be named on the Grant of Probate.

For most people, choosing one or two trusted executors is enough. However, deciding how many executors to appoint depends on your family, how complicated your estate is and how you think those people will work together after you’re gone.

If the executors you choose later need to pay Inheritance Tax, legal fees or other estate expenses before estate funds become available, Provira’s Estate Advance can help them access money from the estate sooner, helping keep probate moving.

To find out more about our Estate Advance, click here.

How many executors can a will have?

There is no legal limit to how many executors you can name in your will. However, only four executors can take out a Grant of Probate and act on behalf of the estate at any one time.

That means you could name five or six people if you wanted to, but only four would be able to administer the estate.

In reality, most people appoint one or two executors, together with a substitute executor who can step in if needed.

How many executors should you appoint?

There is no right answer, but for most estates, two executors is probably enough.

Having two executors means the workload can be shared and there is someone else to continue if one executor dies or is suddenly unable to act.

For simple estates, one executor may be enough. However for more complicated ones, especially those involving property, businesses or big investments, having two or more executors can help share the load.

Is one executor enough?

Yes. You only need one executor for your will to be valid.

A sole executor may be a good option if:

• Your estate is relatively simple.
• You completely trust the person you’ve chosen.
• They are organised and comfortable dealing with paperwork.
• There are unlikely to be disagreements on decisions made.

The downside is that if they die before you, become unwell or decide not to act, someone else will need to take over unless you’ve named a replacement executor.

What are the advantages of having two executors?

Many solicitors recommend choosing two executors because it provides extra security.

It also allows them to share the workload, have a back-up plan if one executor can’t act and utilise different skill sets. For beneficiaries, it can also provide some reassurance that decisions are being made fairly.

Are there any disadvantages to having multiple executors?

Sometimes yes. When there is more than one executor, they usually need to make important decisions together.

This includes decisions about:

• Applying for probate.
• Selling property.
• Paying debts and Inheritance Tax.
• Distributing the estate.

If the executors disagree, the probate process can become very delayed. This is one reason why appointing too many executors can sometimes cause more harm than good.

What happens if executors disagree?

Most executors work together without any problems. However, disagreements can happen.

Common disagreements include:

• Whether to sell a property.
• How quickly assets should be distributed to beneficiaries.
• How estate assets should be valued.

Where possible, executors should try to resolve disagreements themselves.

However, if they can’t agree, then they may need to bring in a mediator or legal professional to help.

In more serious situations, the court has powers to remove an executor who is preventing the estate from being administered properly.

What happens if one executor cannot act?

Sometimes an executor is unable to carry out the role. This might happen because they have died, become ill or no longer want to take on the responsibility.

If they have not started administering the estate, they can formally step down by signing a Deed of Renunciation.

This is why it’s a good idea to appoint at least one substitute executor when writing your will.

Can one executor make decisions without the others?

No, when multiple executors are acting together to administer an estate, they generally need to agree on major decisions.

While one executor may deal with day-to-day tasks, important legal decisions should normally be made together.

Choosing people who communicate well and trust each other can make the probate process much easier for all involved.

Can you appoint a family member and a professional executor together?

Yes, many people choose one family member and one professional executor, like a solicitor, to administer their estate.

This can work particularly well where:

• The estate is valuable or complicated.
• There may be disagreements between beneficiaries.
• There are business assets or complicated tax issues to work through.
• The family would benefit from having the support.

What if estate expenses need paying before probate is complete?

One of the biggest challenges for executors is that they may need to pay estate costs before they can access the estate’s money.

These costs can include Inheritance Tax, legal fees, property maintenance and utility bills.

If most of the estate’s value is tied up in property, finding this money can be difficult.

This is where Provira’s Estate Advance can help.

Our Estate Advance gives executors access to up to 50% of the net value of the estate within days, helping cover estate expenses while probate is still ongoing.

There are no monthly repayments, no personal liability and no credit checks. The advance is simply repaid from the estate once administration has been completed.

Get in touch to find out more.

How Provira can help

Choosing the right number of executors is an important part of writing a will.

For many people, appointing one or two trusted executors, together with a substitute executor, gives them both flexibility and a back-up plan.

If you’ve been appointed as an executor, you may find that administering an estate means you need to find the cash to pay Inheritance Tax before estate assets can be sold.

At Provira, we understand how difficult that can be.

Whether you need an Estate Advance to help pay Inheritance Tax and estate expenses during probate, or an Inheritance Advance to help a beneficiary access part of their inheritance sooner, our compassionate team can help you understand your options.

Get in touch with Provira today to find out how we could help you move the estate administration process forward.