Large charity V solicitor as executor

Fonzie105

Hi, I was looking for some advice.

I will be choosing either a large charity  or a solicitor to be the executor of my will (all my money will be going to charity). I have some small wishes that can only be carried out once I'm dead that are important to me. I'm including the wishes to the Will but understand wishes are not legally binding.

Unfortunately I have noone to ask so will be relying on a stranger.

Any options on if a solicitor or charity would be more likely to uphold these wishes? 

Also, if I apppoint a professional solicitor to be the executor how do I know who are the 'good' ones?

Thanks for any help. I'm trying to research myself but not really getting anywhere. I guess there's no guarantee either will carry out my wishes just wondered if one was possibly more likely than the other?

Thanks for any help!

Surfbabe

Why arent you making the wishes part of your will? that way they will have to be carried out

Keep_pedalling

What sort of wishes are we talking about? Usually these would be restricted to things like funeral arrangements. 

Assuming that your estate will have property and / or chattles to sort out I would have thought a local solicitor would be the best option just for a practical point of view,

NorthYorkie

Do you really think a charity would want to have the bother of administering your estate, even if they could? Appoint them as the beneficiary if you like, but not as executors.

poseidon1

NorthYorkie said:

Do you really think a charity would want to have the bother of administering your estate, even if they could? Appoint them as the beneficiary if you like, but not as executors.

Surprisingly some charities do offer the service -

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/donate/gifts-in-wills/executor-service#:~:text=Some charities can act as,on this role for you.

Fonzie105

Surfbabe said:

Why arent you making the wishes part of your will? that way they will have to be carried out

I was informed by a solicitor that my 'wishes' aren't legally binding. It involves what I want put into the coffin with me.

Fonzie105

Keep_pedalling said:

What sort of wishes are we talking about? Usually these would be restricted to things like funeral arrangements. 

Assuming that your estate will have property and / or chattles to sort out I would have thought a local solicitor would be the best option just for a practical point of view,

Thanks. The main wish was what was to go into the coffin with me. Unfortunately I do not have friends or family that could assist with this.

teaselMay

Surely you should speak with an undertaker and prearrange it in that case

Fonzie105

NorthYorkie said:

Do you really think a charity would want to have the bother of administering your estate, even if they could? Appoint them as the beneficiary if you like, but not as executors.

A charity has already agreed too if they are they main beneficiary (many large charitoes do). My question was regarding the likelihood of a particular wish being carried out.

Fonzie105

teaselMay said:

Surely you should speak with an undertaker and prearrange it in that case

Do you mean as a pre paid funeral?

poppystar

Fonzie105 said:

teaselMay said:

Surely you should speak with an undertaker and prearrange it in that case

Do you mean as a pre paid funeral?

I would speak with undertakers local to you and ask if they would be willing and able to ensure your wish was carried out then ensure whoever is executor knows which funeral director you’d like to use. FDs are usually very respectful and keen to do what the deceased wished. 

Make sure too that, whoever is your executor, that information is easy for others to find after your death. You don’t want far flung family being approached to take on the funeral responsibilities which might well happen if your Will can’t easily be found. It’s just one of those additional logistical difficulties when you have no family. I hope you can find a way to get your wish honoured.