Executor at a distance

kkkyahoo

My mother died (not unexpectedly) a couple of months ago leaving a family friend as executor and me as sole beneficiary. There is a house to sell (just below the IHT threshold).

The other executor is willing to add me as an executor and pass on responsibility for the house sale to me (I've already spoken to my conveyancer and got valuations from three agents: I will come in just below the IHT threshold). However, apparently that can't be done online (I only have her word for that).

The big difficulty is that I don't live in the UK. I've been told I will have to be sworn in in front of a solicitor and this can't be done for 3-4 weeks - that will mean a 15 hour trip each way.

Does anyone know (a) if the process *can* be done online, or (b) if I could possibly use a foreign notary or lawyer to handle this small part of the admin?

Owain_Moneysaver

I swore the oath in front of a Scottish solicitor / notary public - in jurisdictional terms that's "foreign".

However, the estate agent and solicitor handling the house sale will probably want to meet you and verify your identification, so you will have to consider how to handle that when it arises.

Keep_pedalling

The executor cannot make you a joint executor, but they can appoint you to act for them via a power of attorney.

kkkyahoo

Power of attorney? Okay, I need to find out how that works. I've been looking for the wrong thing :-)

Part of the issue I suspect may be that the executor is not a legal professional or a tax expert but has the little knowledge that is a dangerous thing :-)

I've already met the agents and I'll be using a conveyancer who's worked for me before - I'm prepared to put the work in now, but I don't want to have to keep going back and forth.