missing executor

Hawkeye4aneye

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

and that would of course be an expense to claim from the estate. Might be necessary to use the London Gazette, could be worth phoning a couple of solicitors to see if they will give an opinion.

Looks like this was a missing Executor being searched for a few years ago.

http://london-gazette.vlex.co.uk/vid/clifford-hale-missing-executor-notice-55321183

When I worked in a Solicitors office I think when applying for Probate we certified that all attempts were made to trace the said Executor without success. This was having sent letters by recorded delivery to the last address available of such said Executor.

soolin

Thank you everyone, a letter is going again to th elast known address addressed to the occupier asking if they know the whereabouts of Mr X.

I think this shows to me that we need to make sure our wills are updated when circumstances change!

Savvy_Sue

Just realised, one of our executors is dead, and his widow is no spring chicken either, maybe I should get a death certificate to tide us over until we get the wills re-written ... not that we're in touch with the other executor these days either, but I think I could get in touch with him OK!

sardine

Just a follow on, what would happen if, there are two executors, both of whom are alive, but one will not deal with anything, refuses to reply to letters and refuses to allow any solicitors to act for the other executor in advising on the estate. Incidentally, both executors are the only beneficaries - 50% each with an estate value in excess of £500,000. Does the other executor take control and dismiss the one who is refusing to take any action whatsoever?

This is a case likely to happen in my familly, whereas brother and sister (both executors) do not speak to each other, and one of them will attempt to make life as hard and as difficult as possible for the other due to previous bad feeling between them.

Savvy_Sue

You'd need to apply to the Probate Office to get one of them removed, I believe, but I am not sure if the 'unwilling' party wouldn't have to renounce their position.

If the person making the will can do so, however, they might like to consider re-writing their will! If they KNOW there's going to be a problem, it could be circumvented by using independent executors who are NOT beneficiaries.