Being an executor in a will

Old_Hen

My late brother-in-law, after a visit to his solicitors, told me that he had named me as executor. Pity he didn't ask me first because on reading it (after a bit of a hunt) I find that, although he got my surname and my address right, my first name is wrong - he used a pet name I acquired as a baby (please don't ask). I suppose I can find documentary evidence to show to the probate registrar, to prove my identity, but I am having nightmares about court hearings coming on top of clearing his house (huge task) and selling it (huge task these days).

Has anybody had any experience of this type of error in a will, please?

richardw

If you really don't want to do it, for whatever reasons, just say you don't, it will be a weight of your mind.

123oleary

being an executor is a big responsibility- if something was disposed of incorrectly you leave yourself open to being sued. you can just hand the whole thing over to a solicitor - they generally charge an hourly rate and should be able to estimate their hours in advance plus a small percentage of the value of the estate- this is paid from the estate. it is best if the will expressly gives permission for this. the solicitors bill for dealing with my fathers estate of around £200000 was about £3000.

gundo

I've been an executor twice. The first time was for a friend of a friend and it was a thankless task which took lots of my own time and in the end I didn't even get a thank you. Never again will I agree to be executor for someone I didn't even know that well. The beneficiaries/next of kin/friends never contacted me or had anything to do with me once probate was done. The deceased was a lovely person and I miss her but I do feel a bit used. I can understand why they asked me as no one else wanted the hassle or responsibility. I was put under pressure to lie on the forms, not fill them out correctly and overlook things, which I refused to do. I was also regularly hassled about why it was taking so long. Looking back on it I wish I'd recused myself and advised them to get a solicitor to do it.

I was also more recently executor of my Dad's will and it was a simpler task and as it was own family it was fairly easy and well worthwhile. I'm glad I did it.