Questions I am frequently asked by Executors with links through to more detailed answers in the rest of the site. You can ask questions to, but do bear in mind I can’t give specific advice, not being a registered probate lawyer, but I can pass those on to firms who can help as much or as little as you like, should you need professional help at a sensible cost.Let me know if anything is missing!There is a great deal of Local Information in each of the Local Pages – Registrar, Funeral Directors, Celebrants and much more. so do check them out, especially early on after the death or just before.
Probate Quotes: How much can we save you? It costs nothing to find out.
No executors Named in the Will?What to do before death if you get the chance.When to DIY or get professional help.What is Probate? Probate Jargon.DIY probate. Assisted Probate Service Probate quotesIs there a possible claim against an estate or probate argument checklist – might? The Claim Checker provides a simple and reliable answer, whether you are defending or considering a claim.FIRST THINGS executor duties may need to do.What to do after a death.Register a death. If not already done.Is there a funeral plan? Worth a check if you are not sure, but ideally check before you instruct a Funeral Director or you may invalidate the plan.How to choose a funeral director.Executors duties Please bear with me on this page as is two pages combined, and will be fully rewritten when I get a chance. At the moment, the more detailed duties are further down the page, and the top half is a bit more general. The video is a former colleague.How to give up as executor – if you are quick enough (or maybe just ask us to find a suitable firm to delegate the job to?)Property insurance (you will be liable if the property is insecure and uninsured!)Free Guide to Probate. Get our free Guide.Contact us – or ask a question at the foot of the pageCheck Buildings and Contents Insurance for properties which are now empty.
Notification Services to save time.
To follow
Less Immediate things an Executor needs to do.
Probate Quotes – you don’t have to do it yourself, and the estate pays.Find the Will Is the Will valid?If there is definitely no Will, the Rules of Intestacy apply. The closest next of kin are the ones who can apply for Probate (if needed) as Administrators (which is what an Executor is called if there is no Will),Is probate needed? Is Probate needed? It is not always.Probate FormsHow long does probate take? But in the real world?Probate delays and how to reduce them.Asset Search – the prudent executors’ tool. Don’t disappoint the beneficiaries by missing long-lost shares or other assets (sadly won’t find Bitcoin etc!)Preplanning and savings limits before probate is insisted on by banks etc.Claims by dependents that they have not been provided for or inadequately under the 1975 Inheritance (family and dependents) Act as amended.Who is allowed to see the Will? We would advise disclosure of the Will to the beneficiaries to avoid suspicion.Estates with more liabilities than assets – Insolvent Estates.Some ideas on how to upset beneficiaries!Paying off debts.What is a Caveat?General Questions & Answers.Can an executor act on a verbal wish?Complex Estates (needs updating)Probate Forms to download.What you need to know about how solicitors charge.Care Fees.Cut probate costs.Obtaining probate from abroad.Solicitors etc fees – needs updating.Deeds of VariationDigital estates. Some thoughts on making a start.Disagreements between executors. Do executors have to agree on everything?Uncooperative executors. Don’t become one!Residence Nil Rate Band.Transferable Nil Rate Band of IHT (needs update).Notes on Inheritance Tax and Gifts.More on Inheritance Tax.How soon is IHT payable? Sooner than you think!Inheritance Tax Planning.Selling property. But you shouldn’t normally sign a contract until probate is granted!More on selling property.How much can executors sell the property for? No selling it to a friend below market price please!How to sell property fast? Sometimes the beneficiaries would rather have a little less cash sooner rather than a little more later.Issues over property valuation – don’t get it wrong, or it could come back to bite you.Protecting yourself as executor against undiscovered debts or liabilities.Attendance at interview (rarely relevant these days.)Help for executors: the Assisted Probate Service.How to find the Will.Spanish ProbateMust a solicitor resign as executor if asked?
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