Would you take a fee/larger for time taken to do probate?

AnotherJoe

yellowzest said:

‘Doing probate’ for a loved one is a complicated and time consuming process. If I was to appoint a solicitor we would be looking at £1000s maybe tens of £1000s in fees.

My condolences but why is it "a complicated and time consuming process". That depends on the deceased financial position not whether they were a loved one.

I have already done most of the investigation work to establish asset and debt values and plan to complete the probate process myself.
OK .....
I am being advised by friends that I should take a fee/larger cut for my time and energy to do this from the estate. Is this something you would or have done?
You can't

I didnt agree to do this for money at all but to be fair if I wasn’t doing this I would be able to spend my time on my future business plans so it is technically costing me but again it is something I am determined to do.
Well if you are doing it voluntarily why make a fuss? If its too much work hand it over to a solicitor especially if you are not also a beneficiary
Obviously this is a delicate subject. The other beneficiaries have little idea of the work involved in the process (and emotional strain after a bereavement) and I feel very awkward asking / telling them I may take some £ for my time. We are related and very close so I would hate to cause any rifts over this but money can be a complex thing.

As said, you cant charge for your time. WHy not tell them how much work it is?

Duck out and hand it over to a solicitor or do it because you want to. If other beneficiaries are giving you hassle and especially if you arent also one or if you will receive a fixed amount in the will, I'd tell them you are handing over to a solicitor (who will charge handsomely) and who also will be bugging them for info. 
Just interested you see what the consensus on this tricky subject is.

I think the phrase is "s*** or get off the pot" . Better that than stew with ungrateful beneficiaries bugging you.

Savvy_Sue

Mojisola said:

An executor can claim legitimate expenses - make sure a record of these is kept, with evidence where possible.

So just for clarity: postage, NECESSARY travel, stationery if you need any: I claimed for envelopes because I could not find any sturdy ones in the house - I'm not sure there's a lot else. My co-executor and I did claim for any travelling we needed to do in connection with the estate, but it was not a large sum. If you HAVE to stay overnight in a modest hotel that would be a legitimate claim, I feel. 

Anything else - valuation fees, probate expenses, utility bills - will be an expense of the estate. 

If I remember correctly, my co-executor was left an additional sum in the will, but I was not. They declined it and shared it among the rest of us. 

badmemory

My sister & I were both executors for our Mother.  I had been her power of attorney for a few years so had some idea of what the costs were likely to be.  We are both a little anal about money so agreed to expenses from the outset.  So much a mile plus parking fees & postage of course.  Those parking fees really added up.  It is no wonder town centres are dying.  My sister did the longer distance stuff, I did the majority which was local & was mostly parking & postage.  So provided you can agree from the outset on what is claimable then there should be no problem.  The problems come when someone says - but you never told me .....!

MobileSaver

Savvy_Sue said:

Mojisola said:

An executor can claim legitimate expenses - make sure a record of these is kept, with evidence where possible.

So just for clarity: postage, NECESSARY travel, stationery if you need any:

For absolute clarity, as it was the OP's original question, you can claim for any necessary, legitimate and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses but you can NEVER claim for "my time and energy" unless the will specifically says you can (which it very rarely does.)

AnotherJoe

I wonder if the people who make a non beneficiary an executor, and those who agree to take on the task, have thought it through or understand what's involved? 

I certainly wouldn't take it on for non family unless paid for it or a beneficiary.