Next of kin duties when not legally next of kin

QSusieQ

I know a similar type of query has been raised by other users but think this is slightly different. My husband has been named as next of kin by someone who actually does have next of kin but has fallen out with them.  He also has longstanding friends he's decided to no longer communicate with and is registered with a solicitor as joint executor. I just want to make sure what his responsibilities will be 'come the time',for funeral arrangements, notifying the legal next of kin etc.and make sure he's fully aware of what will be expected of him.

Any advice you can give me will be very much appreciated.

Dox

Curiously there is no legal definition of 'next of kin' (except where minors are concerned). See https://www.howellslegal.co.uk/news/post/Next-of-Kin-What-are-my-Rights

Robin9

In order to save any ill-feelings perhaps your husband's friend should write an open  letter addressed to his family and "friends" explaining his reasons .  Include what he wants to happen at his funeral - church/crem - hymns/music/reading.

Dox

Robin9 said:

In order to save any ill-feelings perhaps your husband's friend should write an open  letter addressed to his family and "friends" explaining his reasons .  Include what he wants to happen at his funeral - church/crem - hymns/music/reading.

Given what OP has said in their post, I suspect any letter would be more likely to stir up trouble, even if the friend agreed to write it - falling out/deliberating ceasing communication with longstanding friends doesn't sound like a recipe for an emollient statement from beyond the grave.

onwards&upwards

He doesn’t have to do anything, he has no duties and no responsibilities.

elsien

Next of kin is a fairly meaningless concept both before and after death.
Hospitals like to have a contact name but it doesn't give that person any more legal rights than anyone else. 

Thrugelmir

Ask his friend to write a letter detailing any personal wishes. Probably just boils down to organising the funeral, burial etc. The solicitor will handle the financial aspects of the estate. 

Dox

onwards&upwards said:

He doesn’t have to do anything, he has no duties and no responsibilities.

He does if he is joint executor with the friend's solicitor - although not sure from OP's post if that's actually the case?

hb2

Dox said:

onwards&upwards said:

He doesn’t have to do anything, he has no duties and no responsibilities.

He does if he is joint executor with the friend's solicitor - although not sure from OP's post if that's actually the case?

No-one has to execute an estate if they don't wish to. It is easy enough to sign forms and step down, leaving it to the solicitor to continue.

Edit - even if someone is named as sole executor, they can still refuse to accept the role. This might be particularly relevant when an estate has no/insufficient assets.