What Is an Executor Planning Hub? A Guide for UK Estate Planning Firms
Quick answer: An executor planning hub is a secure online space where a person records the information their executors will need after they die: property, bank accounts, savings, investments, pensions, insurance, utilities, digital assets, debts, key contacts, funeral wishes and where important documents are kept. It turns months of detective work into a clear starting point for estate administration.
Ask any probate practitioner where the time goes and the answer is rarely the law. It is tracing. Which banks, which pension providers, which policies, which subscriptions. Executors often start with a drawer of paperwork and a lot of guesswork.
An executor planning hub fixes that problem while the person is still alive and able to share the details.
Key takeaways
- Executors lose most time tracing assets and contacts, not applying for probate.
- A hub stores estate information in one secure place, updated over time.
- It gives your firm an ongoing relationship with the client, not a one-off sale.
- It positions your firm as the natural choice when estate administration begins.
What information goes into an executor planning hub?
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Assets | Property, bank accounts, savings, investments, valuables |
| Pensions and insurance | Workplace and personal pensions, life cover, death in service |
| Liabilities | Mortgages, loans, credit cards |
| Household | Utility providers, council tax, subscriptions |
| Digital assets | Online accounts, email, social media, photos |
| People and wishes | Key contacts, funeral wishes, document locations |
Why does this matter more from April 2027?
From 6 April 2027 most unused pension funds and death benefits are expected to fall within the value of an estate for inheritance tax. Executors will need to identify every pension scheme quickly and accurately. A hub that already lists them removes a major source of delay and risk.
How does an executor planning hub help your firm?
- Recurring relationship: clients return to update their information, keeping your firm front of mind.
- New revenue: the hub can be offered as a paid service alongside Wills and LPAs.
- Probate opportunities: when a death occurs, the family already knows who to call.
- Better outcomes: estates are administered faster with fewer missed assets.
Is an executor planning hub the same as a Will?
No. A Will says who receives the estate and who deals with it. The hub records what the estate contains and how to find it. They work best together.
What is the Ai Wills Executor Toolbox?
The Executor Toolbox is the Ai Wills executor planning hub. It runs under your brand, sits inside your client journey and connects to your CRM, so every update is a touchpoint. It is part of the wider platform covered in our estate planning software guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who can see the information in an executor planning hub?
Access is controlled, and information should be stored securely in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Should passwords be stored in an executor hub?
Record which accounts exist and how executors should approach them, rather than storing live passwords, and follow each provider's terms.
Can a firm charge for an executor planning hub?
Yes. With Ai Wills you set your own pricing for the Executor Toolbox.
Does an executor planning hub replace probate advice?
No. It makes administration easier. Probate activities remain reserved legal work for authorised providers.
About the author
Chris Fisher is the founder of Ai Wills, with 25 years in the legal industry and 10 years in estate planning. He builds the systems professional firms use to deliver Wills, LPAs, probate and estate administration services under their own brand.
This article is general information about the law of England and Wales as at 2026 and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Take advice specific to your circumstances. Last reviewed: September 2026.
