Professional Executor Services

Supporting clients with expert services

Choosing a professional executor service allows you to enhance your client proposition in providing a seamless, efficient and compassionate solution to estate administration. We’re well versed in the challenges often faced during the probate process and through this, can help you to manage client expectations, address legal complexities and support through emotionally sensitive discussions.

What is a professional executor?

A professional executor is an individual or organisation appointed in a Will to manage and distribute a deceased person’s estate. Unlike a friend or family member, a professional executor brings a wealth of expertise in law, financial administration and taxation and our key role is to ensure that the wishes of the deceased, as outlined in the Will, are carried out.

Using a professional executor offers impartiality, efficiency and considered risk mitigation. We act independently and ensure that fair decisions are made. In a process which is often highly complex and emotive, instructing a professional executor minimises any delays and ensures that any and all legal and tax obligations are met. Our aim, as your client’s professional executor, is to safeguard the estate and protect against potential liabilities.

The benefits of professional executor services

Instructing a professional executor offers a number of different benefits for clients, most of which revolve around the expertise and efficiency of executors.

Experience

Professional executors are experts in probate law, tax regulations and financial administration. At CTT Tax & Trust, we understand the intricacies of estate planning and are confident in dealing with complex situations. It is this experience which allows us to ensure your client’s estates are properly managed, minimising errors and any potential liabilities.

Conflict avoidance and impartiality

When family members are noted as executors, emotions tend to run high and disputes among beneficiaries are common. Should your client use a professional executor service, it is ensured that they have a neutral and impartial third party and will apply the Will’s instructions fairly and without reservation. This helps to prevent or resolve family disagreements, creates a smoother process and protects family relationships during a sensitive time.

Reduced admin burden

Being responsible for administering an estate is a significant undertaking and involves extensive paperwork, knowledge of legal procedures and strict deadlines. At a time that is already emotionally challenging, this can be hugely overwhelming. Appointing a professional executor relieves this burden and gives your client the time and space to focus on their grief and healing.

Risk mitigation

Executors of a Will can be held personally liable for mistakes that may lead to financial loss for the estate. A professional executor has extensive knowledge and experience in this area, so this significantly reduces the risk of mistakes being made. At CTT Tax & Trust, we ensure compliance with all legal and tax obligations, which therefore protects the estate and its beneficiaries from claims or financial disputes.

Continuity

Should a lay executor become unwell, lose capacity or pass away, then this can cause significant delays to the process and may lead to complications. A professional executor offers continuity within your client’s case and ensure that there will always be someone available to carry out the duties, even if the individual that was initially assigned is no longer available to act.

Choosing CTT Tax & Trust as professional executors

For your clients, choosing CTT Tax & Trusts means opting for unparalleled expertise and compassionate guidance during an emotional and challenging time. We strive to offer impartiality, efficiency and the legal and financial knowledge needed to navigate complex Wills and estates seamlessly.

As professional executors, we can offer:

Fixed fees

Unlike solicitors and other legal companies who charge an hourly rate, we offer a fixed-fee service which is quoted in advance of any work being undertaken, providing your clients with the security of knowing associated costs from the outset.

Dedicated case handler

Upon instruction, your client will be allocated a designated point of contact of who will manage their estate administration.

Regular updates

Both you and your client will be provided with feedback and updates at each key point of the process.

Advice

We offer free and independent advice to your client in relation to the Will, as well as any possible strategies which could be implemented that ensure any assets passed through the Will are protected in the most tax-efficient way.

Bespoke software

To support our professional executor services, we have developed our own software which provides you with an instant quote that you can then present to your clients. This software provides notifications throughout the estate administration process, allowing you to keep track of the case’s progress.

For more information on our professional executor services, contact CTT Tax & Trust today to speak to one of our team.

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FAQs about professional executors

People frequently appoint Executors or accept the position of Executor without fully comprehending the duties that come with the role. The bottom line is that an Executor’s role can sometimes involve a lot of responsibility. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Executors.

Why should my clients consider a professional executor over a family member or friend?

Although it is common for family members to be appointed as executors of a Will, professional executors offer impartiality and expertise in tax and legal matters. They also help lessen the burden of administrative tasks during a highly emotional time. This, in turn, helps to prevent family disputes, ensures compliance is followed and in a lot of cases, helps speed up the settlement process.

Can a professional executor handle complex estates?

If you have a complex estate, which has multiple associated assets, investments and business assets, then a professional executor may be better suited to manage your estate and distribute it effectively. Most non-professional executors won’t have the knowledge needed to handle the complexities of estate administration, leaving room for error, confusion and mistakes, which can be costly and cause delays.

How do you appoint a professional executor?

Typically, professional executors are appointed directly within someone’s Last Will and Testament. This tends to be formalised within the Will drafting process in the presence of a solicitor.

Can professional executors be co-executors alongside family or friends?

It is common, and often beneficial, for people to choose to instruct a professional executor alongside a friend or family member as a co-executor. This combines professional expertise and impartiality with the friend or family’s personal knowledge of the individual. Should your client choose the option of having co-executors, then we can help support them as needed.

What are the key responsibilities of a professional executor?

The responsibilities of a professional executor are extensive and cover all aspects of settling a deceased person’s estate. They are to act as a fiduciary, meaning that they have both a legal and ethical duty to act in the best interest of the estate and its beneficiaries.

Some key responsibilities of a professional executor include:

Locating and validating the Will: one of the first steps is to find the deceased’s most recent Will and confirm its validity.

Identifying and valuing assets and liabilities: professional executors often work to identify everything that the deceased owned, such as properties, bank accounts, investments and digital assed, and owed, for example mortgages, credit card debts and bills.

Applying for the Grant of Probate: this is the legal document which is issued and officially confirms the executor’s authority to administer the estate. It is often required to access the deceased’s assets.

Settling the Estate: before assets can be distributed to the beneficiaries, the executor is responsible for ensuring all the estate’s debts are settled and all taxes due on the estate are paid to HMRC. This carries a personal financial liability for the executor; another reason for seeking the advice of a professional.

Distributing the estate: perhaps the ultimate responsibility of a professional executor is to distribute the remaining assets to the correct named beneficiaries according to the terms of the will.

Finalising the estate: Once all assets have been distributed and accounts have been settled, then the executor will formally close the estate.

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Professional Trustee

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