Executor of your will
You can choose us as executor of your will or we can provide support to other executors in carrying out their responsibilities.
What is an executor?
An executor is legally responsible for managing your estate after you die. They should be reliable and able to handle complex tasks like probate, debt settlement, communication with beneficiaries and risk mitigation. An executor can be a family member, friend, lawyer, or a professional trustee company like State Trustees.Â
Appointing State Trustees instead of a family member means we can:Â
- Relieve the burden from loved onesÂ
- Manage disputes and reduce the risk of legal conflictÂ
- Use our in-house team of experts
What we do as your executor
When you appoint us as the executor in your will, we take on legal responsibility for your estate including:
- Communicating with family and beneficiariesÂ
- Arranging your funeral and burial
- Applying for the death certificate
- Applying for probate
- Handling bills and debts
- Preparing tax returnsÂ
- Handling superannuation and life insurance
- Property maintenance
- Resolving estate disputes
- Distributing gifts and assets
Prepare your will
Nominate an executor in your will today
Why choose State Trustees
As Victoria’s leading provider of deceased estate administration, we take the pressure off your loved ones at a difficult time. Our experience can also help you to get the best possible outcomes.
Stability and reliability
Hundreds of thousands of Victorians have relied on us for more than 80 years.
Expertise and experience
You can be confident you’re being guided by a team of experts who administer thousands of estates each year.
Convenience
We provide in-house support with a range of specialist services like taxation, trusts, genealogy, property, legal services and more.
Safe and secure
We identify and reduce potential legal and financial risks to safeguard your estate.
Peace of mind
You’ll have complete confidence your affairs are in good order and we’ll relieve the stress and burden from your loved ones.
Government backed
We’re backed by the Victorian Government and accountable to the people of Victoria.
Fee summary
Free resources
Frequently asked questions
What is the role of an executor?
An executor is responsible for making sure the person’s final wishes are carried out. This can include (but not limited to) notifying beneficiaries, managing debts, arranging for pets to be looked after or mail redirected, insuring estate assets, attending to any business interests, managing legal risks, lodging tax and selling assets. For a full list, see our checklist.
Can I choose State Trustees as executor?
Yes, you can. We can take the burden from family or loved ones or step in when you have no one to appoint to do what can be a complex and time-consuming task. We are an independent, highly experienced and impartial executor. We administer more deceased estates than any other organisation in Victoria.
Can State Trustees assist me with my executor role?
Yes. We provide Executor Assist to support you in your role as executor. If you wish to retain your role as executor, State Trustees can help with executor-related tasks. Fees in relation to our services are charged to the Executor but can be reimbursed from the estate. Our experts can help whether you’re at the start of the process, or probate has been granted.
What is Executor Assist?
Executor Assist is a service designed to support executors or senior next of kin who are administering a deceased estate. While the executor retains their role as the legal personal representative, executor assist acts as their agent to only obtain the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration and assist with some secondary tasks upon the executor’s request, such as estate tax returns or genealogy to find beneficiaries.
Executor Assist helps with:
- Obtaining probate or letters of administration by Initiating and managing the grant application process.Â
- Assisting with the estate’s preliminary tax returns.Â
- Conducting genealogy research to locate beneficiaries.Â
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Original artwork ‘Four Sisters Coming Together’ by Melissa Bell 2023