Legal rights to find out executor of late father's will

akh43

A relative has recently died. He made a will 14 years ago whilst with his wife, but they had since separated, but not divorced, lived quite a distance away from each other and no recent contact whilst he was ill the past few months. Will not updated. Daughter does not have a copy of his will. She is now trying sort out his affairs and trying to find out who is executor of will is. She has contacted solicitor who made will, who is refusing to divulge this information to her. She has forms to complete and they need to know who the executors are. Daughter was his carer and he moved closer to where she lived for this reason. What are her rights to this information, if any, or is there an alternative way to find out who the executors are?

G6JNS

akh43 wrote: »

A relative has recently died. He made a will 14 years ago whilst with his wife, but they had since separated, but not divorced, lived quite a distance away from each other and no recent contact whilst he was ill the past few months. Will not updated. Daughter does not have a copy of his will. She is now trying sort out his affairs and trying to find out who is executor of will is. She has contacted solicitor who made will, who is refusing to divulge this information to her. She has forms to complete and they need to know who the executors are. Daughter was his carer and he moved closer to where she lived for this reason. What are her rights to this information, if any, or is there an alternative way to find out who the executors are?

Has the solicitor explained why he will not divulge the information? It seems very unreasonable. She may have to wait until probate is granted. She could enter a caveat that might get a change of attitude.

Marktheshark

See if it has been filed with the probate and wills office and buy a copy from them.

Savvy_Sue

G6JNS wrote: »

Has the solicitor explained why he will not divulge the information? It seems very unreasonable.

Especially if she's the one with the death certificate, trying to arrange a funeral, and wondering if her dad expressed any wishes about that in his will!

bryfi

I thought it was up to the excutors to arrange the funeral, or authorise someone else to do it as they will be paying for it out of the estate. If she goes onto the probate office web site and pays a tenner, they will let her know when probate is granted if it's granted in the following six months.

TBagpuss

Is the daughter on good terms with her mother? If so, can she ask her mum whether her mum remembers who the executors were.

Are you 100% sure that the solicitor is refusing to give the information, not that they have asked for specific information or documents first before doing so? Or that they don't have the will so can't tell her? Have the solicitors confirmed that they are holding the will?

It is technically the executors who are responsible for arranging the funeral and it may be that she needs to say to the solicitors she needs the executors details to arrange the funeral, and that if there is a problem with the will she needs to know what it is.

Marktheshark

The OP vanished.