ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

“Every man goes down to his death bearing in his hands only that which he has given away” – Persian Proverb

When a loved one dies, the last thing on your mind is often the legalities of dealing with the administration of their estate.

If you are appointed as an Executor you are legally responsible for ensuring that the estate is dealt with in accordance with both the law and the will. If there is no Will or if the Executors are unable to act then an Administrator will need to be appointed.

This can include:

• arranging the funeral
• ensuring that you have identified all the assets and liabilities of the estate
• completing the Inland Revenue forms
• obtaining the Grant of Representation (this is a generic name for either a Grant of Probate (where there is a Will) or Grant of Letters of Administration (where there is no Will or Executors)
• closing the bank accounts, selling assets & property
• paying any legacies
• paying all the liabilities
• distributing the balance of the estate in accordance with the will or rules of intestacy
• consider whether to vary the estate or appropriate assets for tax purposes
• producing estate accounts

As an Executor you, personally, are responsible for making sure that the estate is dealt with correctly and in a timely manner.

We can offer offer help at any stage of the process whether it is simply providing you with ad hoc advice, preparing the application for the Grant of Representation or dealing with all the administration on your behalf.

We can also advise where there is a dispute whether in your capacity as an Executor or Administrator or between the beneficiaries.

We will try and provide you with a fixed cost for most aspects of work and we will never take a percentage of the value.