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An Overview of What Being an Executor Implies

August 1, 2019 By Richard Farrell

You are legally responsible for the assets of a deceased person if you are appointed the executor of their estate, and there is a legal will. There may be other executors of course, including the solicitor who drafted the will, and the late person’s spouse or trusted confidante.

Solicitors may charge for their services. However other executors may only recover their reasonable expenses from the estate. Where there is more than one executor they have to agree about everything beforehand. Cash and personal items are the only exception, although it is always best to act transparently as a team

An Executor Can Also be a Beneficiary Under the Same Will

This is quite common in the UK; indeed many testators make their primary / only beneficiary their executor to make things easier for them. If you are a sole executor, we none the less suggest you behave as if somebody is looking over your shoulder and keep a diary of your decisions and actions.

More About Your Duties and Powers as an Executor

You have both duties to do things, and powers to do these things lawfully. Your primary duty is to secure the estate’s assets so you can distribute them to the beneficiaries according to the will.

YOUR MAIN POWERS AS AN EXECUTOR

You can’t act legally without an authority as an executor. The will should specify your powers. These could, just by way of an example include running their business. In broader terms, you must act “in the interests of all the beneficiaries, without favouring one over another” according to Richard Nelson LLP.

YOUR PRIMARY DUTIES AS AN EXECUTOR

You may also find yourself responsible for arranging the funeral. If you don’t want to do this, a close family member or friend may be willing to take this off your shoulders. You could also appoint a funeral director because the estate will pay their reasonable bill.

You must also be able to, and provide an account of all transactions to the beneficiaries and the court. This is more than sufficient reason to act diligently at all times. You also have to act with a dose of speed and wrap things up within a year. That’s because beneficiaries may claim interest on amounts owing to them after twelve months.

Does This Mean Your Decisions are Final?

Of course not! There is a system of appeals built into UK law. If a beneficiary under the will believes you are not behaving properly, then they can take legal steps to make your change your mind, or remove you from your role completely.

This is yet another reason to act openly, explain yourself, and keep a thorough record of your decisions and actions. This is because you may be held financially responsible for your errors and oversights.

By now, you may be looking forward to being ‘off the hook’ once you have wound up the estate. However, if the deceased has established a trust you may be responsible for administering this until it ceases, or you are no longer able to do so.

Therefore, You Should Think Twice before Accepting an Executorship

When someone asks you to be their executor this does not mean you are a beneficiary of their estate. You also have no right to know the contents of their will until after they die.

It may therefore make more sense to suggest the person appoints their solicitor as their primary executor, and you as their backup. You will still have to approve all the decisions, without having to do much of the actual work.

Filed Under: Probate Valuation Tagged With: An Executor Can Also be a Beneficiary Under the Same Will, primary duties as an executor, probate contents valuation, probate guidance, Think Twice before Accepting an Executorship

Our House Clearance Services

We provide a full house clearance and property management solution:

  • We clear hoarded houses, regardless how big or how cluttered
  • We clear all types and sizes of property, irrespective of location, or access is restricted or where parking is difficult or not available.
  • We can help avoid water damage by draining the central heating system.
  • We can secure the property and change the locks.
  • We can reinstate the gardens and maintain them whilst the property is empty.
  • We can provide 24 hour security to eliminate the risk of squatting or unlawful occupation.

As well normal house clearances we specialise in clutter clearance and we can clear a hoarded house which may contain years of accumulated possessions, or which have abnormal amounts of general household items, sometimes as a result of compulsive hoarding syndrome.

Equally we can help to clear a property where the occupants were previously unwell and unable to care for themselves or their property which sometimes results in insanitary, dangerous or just plain unpleasant conditions.

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Client Reviews

Mar 4, 2021
by Ian Corben on Avery Associates
Probate Valuation & House Clearance

A one stop shop from beginning to end for myself as a first time executor.From our first call I was confident Jeff not only understood the issues with... Read More

Thank you Ian and it was a pleasure to assist you, we know how hard this process can be trying to find different service providers can be a nightmare so we feel very happy to ease the burden by providing all the services you require from one port of call.RegardsJeffrey Avery

Mar 4, 2021
by Sarah Lennie on Avery Associates
House Clearance After Probate

I just wanted to give my feedback I have recently moved my mother from her house and had the difficult task of clearing what was left in her... Read More

Feb 1, 2021
by Sally Thompson on Avery Associates
Sensitive House Clearance

You have done an excellent job, given that you had very little time. Brenda and I do appreciate how much you have done and feel it is really kind of you... Read More

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Tel: 0800 567 7769 or 0208 640 0044

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