Bill for Funeral - who is legally liable?

spacey2012

The issue of executors and estates is a separate issue.
The rules do allow for fees for funerals to be paid, where the executor makes the arrangements.

In this case the OP took it upon themselves to arrange a private contractual funeral and sign a contract.
The "estate" has no liability to this contract and does not have to pay it.
The OP's arrangements with the executors are "good will".
The good will partners are refusing to pay the bill, which as money is involved, we can assume they wont as that is what money does to people.

The OP needs to settle the bill as they are contractually liable and if they do not, the funeral directors can sue and obtain a CCJ.

I feel sorry for the OP, but a lesson in life is where money is involved, people can not be trusted.

I just hope the executors make good on the offer to re-reimburse, but if they dont, the OP is not helping the situation by relying on them to do so.

The person named on the contract is liable for this debt.

All other issues are purely confusing the situation.

If they are agreeing to pay 80% I would ask them to pay 80% and you will gladly pay the 20%
If they refuse this, you know they are lying to you, if they accept, owing 20% is better than owing 100%.

ValHaller

spacey2012 wrote: »

The issue of executors and estates is a separate issue.
The rules do allow for fees for funerals to be paid, where the executor makes the arrangements.

In this case the OP took it upon themselves to arrange a private contractual funeral and sign a contract.
The "estate" has no liability to this contract and does not have to pay it.
The OP's arrangements with the executors are "good will".
The good will partners are refusing to pay the bill, which as money is involved, we can assume they wont as that is what money does to people.

The OP needs to settle the bill as they are contractually liable and if they do not, the funeral directors can sue and obtain a CCJ.

I feel sorry for the OP, but a lesson in life is where money is involved, people can not be trusted.

I just hope the executors make good on the offer to re-reimburse, but if they dont, the OP is not helping the situation by relying on them to do so.

The person named on the contract is liable for this debt.

All other issues are purely confusing the situation.

If they are agreeing to pay 80% I would ask them to pay 80% and you will gladly pay the 20%
If they refuse this, you know they are lying to you, if they accept, owing 20% is better than owing 100%.

All very good, the legal situation is about right. Which is why I think it is well worth exploring whether or not the executors have some grounds for feeling that the funeral should not be paid for in full.

OP is piggy in the middle here. The undertaker will be after OP whicxh is bad enough Worse than that is if the executors do not reimburse OP without even lifting a finger in OP's aid if it goes to court.

spacey2012

To be honest if they dont and the OP has to stump the cost.
At least they provided some respect and dignity and if the others pocket the cash.

Well I would make it my job to let everyone know what they did.

AMILLIONDOLLARS

Surely with the Solicitors involved the Executors of the Estate have taken on liability by paying 80% of the fee.

Two thoughts, will it really be worth holding back 20% of the fee?
also, I take it the OP will be paying half the Solicitors fees out of their share of the eventual Estate.

Sound like you'll end up owing the Solicitors more than the Funeral Directors. No Win situation

AMD

Shelldean

cant add much advice, but didn't the funeral directors mention anything about liability for the bill when you secured their services?


I organised Nans, and my funeral director mentioned not just once or twice but several times, that by putting my name on the contract it would be me and me alone that would be liable for the bill.


I had already seen the balance of nans bank a/c and knew the amounts of insurance policies, and knew between them they just about covered the bill. Total of which was also discussed before signing. I'm not sure I would've gone ahead had I not been so sure nans small estate would cover her funeral, as I was and still am skint!!!


Maybe I got a good funeral director, but they was aware I was grieving and made double sure I knew everything I needed to know BEFORE I signed anything.

hcb42

I feel sorry for the OP , they did the right thing morally, they could hardly say "oh hang on, while I check with the sister in law" who was too busy to even get there

When you are organising a funeral you want it done, it is not the time to be having these silly debates, they did the right thing, and assumed as the other family members had not joined them on the appt, their choices would be adequate. Arguing after the fact is crass

Shameful behaviour on their part, have a word with Bro and get him to sort it...