Inherited debt

TigerTony75

Hi, my grandfather died two years ago and I looked after pretty much everything including sorting out his council house that had been in the family for around 100 years. I dissolved all of the money he had in shares and savings, which was not a substantial amount, and distributed it to the relevant people mentioned in his will following, what I thought, paying all his bills.
I have received an invoice from Cambridge County Council to the value of £769 as a First Reminder. It does not explain what the bill is for and this is the first time I am hearing about this debt. Had it been sent to me at, or around, the time of death I would have paid the money out of the little savings he had.
I guess my question is am I liable to pay this as I distributed the money almost one and a half years ago and I am not really in a position to be able to afford this?
Many Thanks for any advice that might be forthcoming.

Brynsam

I'm afraid that if you were the executor, then you are almost certainly personally liable - I'm assuming you didn't advertise for creditors, given the modest size of the estate? Before doing anything else, write to the Council and ask them to explain what exactly the invoice is for, and why it has only been issued 2 years after the death of your grandfather. 

hb2

On reading the title of the thread, I was going to tell the OP that debts are not inherited. However, as they have administered the estate and paid out beneficiaries (in which case, I assume there was a will?), I'm afraid that Brynsam's advice is correct and the OP is responsible for paying the council if the debt is confirmed

Uxb1

If the OP issued the statutory declarations notices to all creditors in "The Gazette" as part of his executor's duties, then rather than the executor it is the residual beneficiaries of the estate from whom the council will have to chase money from.
As an aside, this is why if you are both executor and sole beneficiary there is no point in issuing the notice (and paying for it!) as any debts later found will end up in your lap regardless.

Flugelhorn

as the others say it is the executor who is responsible if they haven't posted a notice and the beneficiaries if they have. I would definitely get further info as to what this debt is - v odd to appear after so long. 
I was aware of a possible bill from a care agency which has not come (2 years and counting - they were vert disorganised) - hoping it won't turn up!

Brynsam

hb2 said:

On reading the title of the thread, I was going to tell the OP that debts are not inherited. However, as they have administered the estate and paid out beneficiaries (in which case, I assume there was a will?), I'm afraid that Brynsam's advice is correct and the OP is responsible for paying the council if the debt is confirmed

OP says in their thread that there is: I dissolved all of the money he had in shares and savings, which was not a substantial amount, and distributed it to the relevant people mentioned in his will following, what I thought, paying all his bills.

kazwookie

What is the bill for?

Get on to the council and ask.

getmore4less

Gazette notice does not cover debts that an administrator should have checked for as part of their due diligence. 

Savvy_Sue

Yes, but ... as part of your due diligence, you give notice on the council flat - you expect the council will send a bill if there are rent arrears? You notify the council that he has died for Council Tax - you expect the council to send a bill for any arrears there (but more often there's a rebate. You cancel any carers who were coming - you expect the council to send a bill! 

I'm guessing it's one of those ... 

Brynsam

Savvy_Sue said:

Yes, but ... as part of your due diligence, you give notice on the council flat - you expect the council will send a bill if there are rent arrears? You notify the council that he has died for Council Tax - you expect the council to send a bill for any arrears there (but more often there's a rebate. You cancel any carers who were coming - you expect the council to send a bill! 

I'm guessing it's one of those ... 

The fact that it is a 'First Reminder' rather than a 'Final Reminder' suggests that the original invoice (always assuming there was one) was only issued fairly recently.

TigerTony75

Thanks for the comments. I have emailed the council to request more info but assume that current events are causing a delay.