Did anyone else find dealing with companies as an executor upsetting?

benin

I was the executor for my late wife. I found the process easy and the people I dealt with were very considerate. I found dealing with the estate was a way to help me manage my grief as it gave me something to focus on and drive towards the future. I would advise any friend to DIY rather than use a service such as you are suggesting.

Technosaurus

When I did it for my parents, I had absolutely no problem nor any upset. The occasional bit of needless hassle but nothing out of the ordinary for modern life, so not something I can pin down solely on bereavement teams.

When my wife was executor last year she found it much more gruelling but that was more due to her emotional state - basically she felt in some way "guilty" that she was essentially ringing people asking for her Dad's money/refunds/final bills. Whereas I was a bit more matter-of-fact about it, I'd rather it was in the beneficiaries' bank accounts than that of some faceless corporation, so I never felt any emotional pull and in a bizarre way quite enjoyed the jousting if things weren't going to plan.

I'm not sure my wife would have wanted to pay someone else to do it, as when all is said and done it was about 20 phonecalls and sending some forms off, most of which were done online. It's just she had to mentally gear up for each episode whereas someone more clinical like myself just gets on with it.

To save her hassle in future, I've simply appointed another executor for when my time comes as I could see the stress it put my wife through. I can see why you'd think it's a good business idea though, although I do think your competition will basically be every solicitor in the country before you even get to lay executor offerings from the banks etc. But I wish you the best of luck.