Is it wise to specify address of a will executor in a will?

miserable_ol_so_n_so

I just looked at my will which was written in 2009. Therein I have named my executors and their addresses where they used to reside at the time. Now they have all moved about. My question is will this cause difficulties come the time for execution of the will since they no longer have proof of residence at the specified address?
The next question is is it a requirement that the will writer specify the address of the executor in the first place?

Primrose

I don't think it's essential but possibly desirable because you might for example have two relatives with the same name, ie John Smith who are father and son and if one of them is your executor you would want to differentiate between them by giving their address.. If you don,t want to add a codicil to your will to note an address change, you should at least include with the document a list of current addresses at any given date. And DON't staple that document to the Will as solicitors and the probate office are very fussy about original Wills not having any kind of documents stapled to them in case sheets have been inserted or removed which could invalidate the Will.

thorsoak

Primrose wrote: »

I don't think it's essential but possibly desirable because you might for example have two relatives with the same name, ie John Smith who are father and son and if one of them is your executor you would want to differentiate between them by giving their address.. If you don,t want to add a codicil to your will to note an address change, you should at least include with the document a list of current addresses at any given date. And DON't staple that document to the Will as solicitors and the probate office are very fussy about original Wills not having any kind of documents stapled to them in case sheets have been inserted or removed which could invalidate the Will.

..and don't use paperclips which, over the years, could leave a rust mark!

miserable_ol_so_n_so

Primrose wrote: »

I don't think it's essential but possibly desirable because you might for example have two relatives with the same name, ie John Smith who are father and son and if one of them is your executor you would want to differentiate between them by giving their address.. If you don,t want to add a codicil to your will to note an address change, you should at least include with the document a list of current addresses at any given date. And DON't staple that document to the Will as solicitors and the probate office are very fussy about original Wills not having any kind of documents stapled to them in case sheets have been inserted or removed which could invalidate the Will.

Thank you for your comprehensive reply.
I have one more question. My executors are abroad. One in Canada the other in Germany. Would either one have problems when dealing with financial institutions, probate etc offices?

Primrose

On paper it it shouldn't t matter where an executor lives but the reality is, i suspect that some institutions are not helpful to executors wherever they are, let alone living abroad and may require executors to turn up in person for certain things to happen.

Think about it. Somebody will have to make an appointment with the Registrar of Births and Deaths to register your death and appear in person. . Until this is done the funeral can,t take place .

Somebody will have to contact a funeral director to choose yourb coffin, arrange the funeral details.

Somebody, if you have a house or flat full of possessions, will have to be on the spot to clear the house, find a home for everything or a local house clearance company to leave the house in a vacant condition..

Somebody will have to contact an estate agent to put the property on the market and sell it and find a solicitor to deal with the sale.

I suspect if you were the person working abroad inheriting this mess and having to take your entire vacation allowance to try and get it sorted it would be a nightmare scenario for you especially if you weren,t familiar with the deceased's location and the whereabouts of all the people who had to be contacted (and you possibly had no transport either to get yourself around to organise everything .)

i think in these circumstances it would be very sensible to appoint a solicitor in this country to act as joint executor. Then your executors can choose whether to try and handle things for themselves or let the solicitor handle some of the burden..

I have had to administer two estates from 100 miles from home while working full time, including house clearance and if you have never had to do it yourself , you will have no idea how stressful and time consuming everything is. There is no way i would agree to be an executor to somebody if I lived abroad. Ask yourself if it is either fair or practical in the circumstances.

miserable_ol_so_n_so

Primrose wrote: »

On paper it it shouldn't t matter where an executor lives but.....

Thank you so much this enlightening reply......will think a lot about it.........

[Deleted User]

If they move, remember to update your will .....

lika_86

Make a new one, choose executors in the UK and if there's possibly any doubt over who you mean then include their birthdays.

SmlSave

Sleazy wrote: »

If they move, remember to update your will .....

You don't need to update a Will if someone moves address. Just write a letter stating the change, remember to sign and date, and place it with your original Will.

Will save ££££

Keep_pedalling

You do not need to include the addresses of executors or beneficiaries in a will, and with the amount of moving about people do these days, it is probably wise not to do so, and just keep an up to date list ad adddreses with the will, to help your executors.

I would not appoint executors living abroad, as that makes life difficult for them, so I do think a rethink is in order here.

TBagpuss

You don't need to include the adress, nor do you need to change the will when someone moves. It is sensible to keep with the will a list of any changes.

What is importnat in terms of the will is that the people mentioned in it, (whether executors or bbeneficiaries) are clierly identifed, which is why if you apppoint a relative then the will will generally refer to them as such (E.g., 'my sister Jane Doe', not just 'Jane Doe of 1 Smith Street')

And if youi do slip up and staple or clip something to the will, do not, under any circumstnaces remove it! A will with something stapled to it can gothrough probate without any issues, a will with a hole in where smething has been unstapled is a much harder task!)