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What is a professional executor?

An executor is a person who handles all of the legal administrative tasks involved in ensuring that the wishes in your will are respected. Furthermore, an executor helps to ensure that your beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to.

Some often choose to appoint their relatives for the role – whether that be their husband, wife, son or daughter. Although your family and friends may be eager to act as executors, it can be challenging to think clearly and make the best decisions during times of grief. When you need that extra support, professional executors can help.

Benefits of Professional Executor Services

There are many advantages to choosing a professional executor to manage your estate, including:

Responsibility

The death of a loved one alone is enough to cause stress and pressure on family and friends. On top of this, dealing with the legal process can be too overwhelming to bear, resulting in the estate not being handled. By relieving you of the pressure of dealing with the legal process, a competent executor can help you minimise the stress.

 

Expertise

An experienced executor will have the knowledge and expertise to handle your estate accurately, effectively and efficiently.

Impartiality

Executors are impartial. Dealing with a loved one’s estate can be an emotional process, and all of that emotion can cause disagreements in the family. Following a bereavement, family tensions can lead to the estate not being appropriately handled. A competent, impartial executor can ensure that all issues are resolved fairly and in the estate’s best interests and its beneficiaries.

Specialist probate team

Fixed fee

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 the cost at outset.

Dedicated Case Handler

Your client will be allocated a designated point of contact who will manage the estate administration

Regular updates

You and your client will be provided with updates at each key point of the estate administration process.

Advice

We offer free and independent advice in relation to the Will and possible strategies that could be implemented to ensure the assets that pass through the Will are protected in the most tax efficient way.

Bespoke software

We have developed our own software which provides you with an instant quote for you to present to your clients, with notifications throughout the estate administration process for you to keep track of progress.

Get in touch to learn more about CTT Tax & Trust’s leading professional executor services.

Talk to our Probate Team

FAQ About Professional Executor Services

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.
1. Do you need to have any experience to be an Executor?

No. You do not need previous experience to be an Executor. However, you should know that the role may require a lot of work, depending on the complexity of the Will. Our professional Executors are ready to help you if you need guidance navigating the process.

3. Is there much work involved in being an Executor?

The amount of work required will depend on the assets left in the Estate and the complexity of the Will.

As Executor, your work is not complete until Probate has been granted and the assets fairly divided between beneficiaries.

4. How many executors can I appoint?

The Will must include at least one Executor – however, you can choose up to four people or professionals.

If you choose your friends and family, you should appoint at least two Executors because professionals are exempt from certain limitations that apply to sole executors.

5. What are the duties of an Executor?

The duties of an Executor include but are not limited to:

  1. Registering the Testator’s death and handling funeral arrangements
  2. Inform all relevant persons and organisations about the Testator’s death
  3. Make arrangements for the valuation of the Estate
  4. Ensure any debts and liabilities are paid in full
  5. Apply for a Grant of Probate
  6. Divide the Estate per the Will’s terms

 

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