This Time I'm Really Going To Do It

apple_muncher

I would definitely recommend using a solicitor. They know what to do. We had a superb one dealing with dad/mum/epa/lpa/probate who I'd wholeheartedly recommend. Big sis dealt with them mostly by email and occasionally by phone. However, they are in bham...

EatingTheElephant

Watty I've just caught up and can't believe how much you have been dealing with. Fingers crossed it will all be over with soon, sorry I have no idea on the probate side of things but hopefully the posts above will send you in the right direction.

Watty1

greent wrote: »

This looks helpful, watty: https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/if-the-person-left-a-will - looks like contacting your local probate office is the first step - I found ours very helpful when I've dealt with queries before.

Also found this:
http://www.death-duties.co.uk/content/executors-and-administrators - specifically this bit - "If there is a valid will but no executors
If a valid will exists the only people who can become executors and apply for a Grant of Probate are people named as executors in the will. If there are no executors named, or if they all renounce the position, or they have all died or are incapable of carrying out the role then the will still stands but its wishes must be carried out by an administrator, rather than an executor. This would normally be the beneficiary entitled to the residue of the estate and the process is called Administration with Will Annexed. One exception to this is if a sole executor is incapable of carrying out the role due to mental incapacity. If an enduring power of attorney exists then the attorney can act on the executor's behalf and also apply for Probate unless the Court of Protection has already appointed an executor. You may wish to consult a solicitor in this instance."

Not hugely helpful - but looks like Probate office is first point of call by phone - and then the beneficiary (Mr Watty?) may be able to apply for Administration with Will Annexed
xx

Phew thanks. This was helpful. And actually in my muddled state I had not thought of calling the Probate office. In fact I didn't even think such things existed so thank you x

Watty1

The plan for the morning was to start clearing Mr Watty's dads place. Only it is gone 9 am and Mr Watty and dog have gone awol
I did have lots of plans to recycle things and donate to charities but now the day is here I am thinking I might go for the fastest possible clear out and ignore my general principals about donating and not sending things to landfill. It all seems so exhausting to drive around donating ....

Karmacat

Watty, so much going on!

greent's links look good - the probate office, in person and on the phone, were very helpful to us when we were going through the finances.

On the off chance you need something else, I found this solicitor with a helpful article:
http://www.ritasen.co.uk/missing-executor/
and this is the link to the government page she mentions, though frankly it might as well be in double dutch
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/2024/article/47/made


As far as donating - we took everything to the charity shop where we could park immediately outside. At first, I wanted to share things amongst all the shops, but after two trips I could completely understand why my brother wanted to do it that way, it would have added such a lot of extra time.

For the tip - well, yes, recycle what you can, glass and paper and whatnot, and for the rest, accept it won't be perfect. Remember charity shops accept fairly grotty fabrics for ragging, just bundle it up separately, and it can go to the same place.

xxx

apple_muncher

Clearing a house is draining, and I'd suggest not rushing it. Nowt wrong with a skip, either. We had a 4-bed, 2 garage property jammed to the rafters with hoarded gubbins. And had to go through every single piece of paper, as the important ones were well disguised amongst rubbish ones.

Hope Mr Watty and dog appeared all fit and well x

Watty1

Mr Watty and dog reappeared. Apparently they were chatting with a neighbour.
Went to the cottage and fridge and freezer emptied. There has been a power cut at some point for some time as things had defrosted leaked and refrozen. Ugh! All cleared out. Recycling bin filled with paperbacks that were really to old for charity shop.
And we have found the executor! Lovely chap of 71 who doesn't really want to do anything suggested we did what was necessary and he would just sign where asked. Said he would just like the easy route and will resign as executor if that is easier. His wife was charming and they have the most delightful garden. Not that that is a marker of anything but it really was gorgeous.

Karmacat

That sounds like a win all round, Watty, I'm glad to hear it. Though I think Mr Watty and you both might be more shattered than you might expect. Be kind to yourselves.

apple_muncher

Phew to finding the executor - and such an amenable one at that.

We filled the paper recyc at dad's for months on end (helped by lovely neighbour who re-filled it every fortnight for us). One full side of the garage was stacked with boxes of mouldering books - text books - why??? That, plus the papers he kept - newspapers, all junk mail, all letters put back into their envelopes.... Thankfully there were no dropped matches! That said, it was probably all just that bit too damp to catch...

Well done on the fridge and freezer emptying.

Watty1

apple_muncher wrote: »

We filled the paper recyc at dad's for months on end (helped by lovely neighbour who re-filled it every fortnight for us).

Thanks for the idea of asking neighbour to fill the recycling bin.. we might do that. We could load everything into shed..... might see about that idea.
It will be easier to do more when bed is collected as that has been got down from upstairs and is filling living room along with two lazy boy armchairs (one of which was upstairs)...lazyboy chairs being the sort that assist one to get up. We bought them both from a furniture co-op and plan to donate them back so just need the co-op to tell us when they can collect. then there will be a clear path to the front door which will make things seem easier.