Executor's Year

The executor's year is a long-standing principle that gives an executor roughly one year from the date of death to gather assets, pay debts and distribute the estate. It recognises that administering an estate takes time — obtaining a grant of representation, selling property and clearing tax can rarely be rushed. Beneficiaries generally cannot compel payment or charge the executor with delay within this window.

The executor's year is a guide, not a strict deadline; complex estates legitimately take longer, while simple ones may finish sooner. Example: "The beneficiaries grew impatient at eight months, but the solicitor explained the executor's year meant the estate was not yet overdue, especially with a property still on the market." Unreasonable delay beyond a year, however, can expose an executor to a court order to account.