Often, the key to being a good executor is to be organised. However, that is often dictated by how organised the testator was. So, what can you do to encourage clients to prepare before their death, to help their executors get off to the best start, keep professional costs in check and speed up the process?

All of the things discussed below should be physically stored in an accessible place where the executors will easily find them or know where to look. Alternatively, an electronic filing system that the executors know how to navigate may be preferable for copies of documents.

Birth certificates, marriage certificates and grants of representation