Asking solicitor to renounce roll as executor,advice please

wilkko73

I'm the executor of mum's will along with a Solicitor,I would like them to renounce as I'm worried about the bill being a large one and so the home that I've always lived in having to be sold to pay their bils.The home is bequeathed to me as part of the estate and I think not much more than £10k will be left from the estate after funeral bills and remaining care fees. I've been a carer for many years so my savings have gone to help any bill.
It wasn't a fixed fee arrangement so I have no idea how much they will charge to me it seems a simple estate with about £22k in an isa,about £3 in a currant account, a home,only me as a beneficiary.

Should I write them a letter and hand it to the office up the road or ask for a meeting with them,I'm worried that if I ask for a meeting they would have a heads up and start proceedings so I can't then stop them so maybe it's better to have a letter ready?If  they did speak to me and gave me a  a ball park figure if it wasn't unmanageable I would probably get them to act but I have a feeling they won't want to commit to that.
I'm only getting mum's death certificate today so will make a move this afternoon

Savvy_Sue

I'd phone and ask what the process is for them to renounce, which normally they should do on request for a relatively small fee.

FlorayG

I'm sure you can do that but don't worry too much because they charge for what they DO, so if you are able to deal with the estate yourself their bill will be minimal. Ask them

Keep_pedalling

Solicitors move very slowly, they are not going to start the probate process without communicating with a co-executor. I would call them to inform them that as this is a very simple estate you wish to apply probate yourself and would like them to renounce their powers and what their charges are for doing this. 

Do you have your own will in place? It might be worth talk to them about getting that sorted out as well.

wilkko73

Hi @Keep_pedalling
I do have a will and they are the executor on my will too but that's something I want  to change in the future when I can afford to do so I will have it amended or even get them to do a new one,what ever is cheaper

Hoenir

You'll need a solicitor to handle the sale of the property in any event. As co executor you can perform much of the legwork winding up the estate. 

RAS

Hoenir said:

You'll need a solicitor to handle the sale of the property in any event. As co executor you can perform much of the legwork winding up the estate. 

wilkko73 lives in the house and does not want to sell.

elsien

You may find this help if you meet any resistance. If it’s a simple estate with one main beneficiary, they have little reason to continue.

https://communities.lawsociety.org.uk/august-2021/giving-it-up/6001952.article

Hoenir

RAS said:

Hoenir said:

You'll need a solicitor to handle the sale of the property in any event. As co executor you can perform much of the legwork winding up the estate. 

wilkko73 lives in the house and does not want to sell.

??? 

so the home that I've always lived in having to be sold to pay their bils

elsien

Hoenir said:

RAS said:

Hoenir said:

You'll need a solicitor to handle the sale of the property in any event. As co executor you can perform much of the legwork winding up the estate. 

wilkko73 lives in the house and does not want to sell.

??? 

so the home that I've always lived in having to be sold to pay their bils

The OP means that the house would only have to be sold if a large solicitors bill was run up as professional executor.
if there is no solicitors bill then there is no need for the house to be sold and the OP can carry on living there. 

wilkko73

Hi @Keep_pedalling The solicitor e mailed today and has asked for the will to be collected from storage,she said they probably could renounce and  she said   "As your mum owned her own property, you will need a Grant of Probate to deal with the estate and transfer the property into your name. If you would like us to assist with obtaining the Grant then we would charge a fixed fee of £1,200 plus VAT. There would also be the court fee of £300 but this will be payable whether we act or not."  So when they mention the grant of probate that's what you need to commence sorting out the estate and filling in the probate forms online?   I forgot to mention I'm a named executor on the will but she will see that when she finds mum's will.Do all of those fees sound reasonable?