Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke UK
OK if it's in Scotland then outwith my experience which is England/Wales.
Lawyers
- Thread starter oldwheels
- Start date
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Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
You don't need to involve anyone else in winding up the estate if you don't want to. Any banks, utility companies etc that you're dealing with will first need to be assured that you have authority to deal with the deceased's affairs. Without a will that complicates things. Are you the deceased's next of kin? If you have access to the account details for the gas/electricity suppliers, then it will be very simple to ring them up and set up a new direct debit from your account to ensure the property doesn't freeze. Once the estate is wound up, you can be reimbursed.
mustang1
Legendary Member
- Location
- London, UK
A quick side track of this thread: estate agents.
It doesn't matter how much the property costs, they do the same amount of work. So why do they get a percentage of this house cost? If they sell a 100k house or a 300k house, they donthe same amount of work yet receive more money when selling the pricier house.
Someone will pipe in and say that's how things work and my question is why? Things would be better with a standard fixed fee.
The same goes with lawyers.
It doesn't matter how much the property costs, they do the same amount of work. So why do they get a percentage of this house cost? If they sell a 100k house or a 300k house, they donthe same amount of work yet receive more money when selling the pricier house.
Someone will pipe in and say that's how things work and my question is why? Things would be better with a standard fixed fee.
The same goes with lawyers.
If there wasn't a will how did a lawyer become involved?
Assuming you are a close relative, you could have gone to court and applied for confirmation that would allow you to administer the estate.
When a death is registered there is a 'tell it once' form that is used to notify various organisations of the death.
Presumably you have seen this
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00510301.pdf
This is useful
https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/dealing-with-a-deceased's-estate-in-scotland
Good luck.
Assuming you are a close relative, you could have gone to court and applied for confirmation that would allow you to administer the estate.
When a death is registered there is a 'tell it once' form that is used to notify various organisations of the death.
Presumably you have seen this
http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00510301.pdf
This is useful
https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/dealing-with-a-deceased's-estate-in-scotland
Good luck.
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I agree, can it be the lower price though.
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke UK
I did all the leg work on my late Mother Out Law's estate on behalf of Mrs B who was the appointed executor. Just bank accounts plus some shares in Lloyds/HBSC divided two ways after liabilities. Absolute piece of cake. Two problems:
(1) I took the papers to the Probate Court in person on my Brompton. They were quite happy to keep the bike at security but my C-BAg contained a small penknife that had become lodged in the lining. No access to office until I found it at which point it was confiscated. Eventually got it back after describing in writing it's benign use for fruit, envelopes and shifting flints from tyre treads:
(2) There was a huge wait for appointments to swear the Executors Affidavit at court. However a local solicitor would do it for £20 or so (only plus was the diesel to drive to Towcester to his office)
(1) I took the papers to the Probate Court in person on my Brompton. They were quite happy to keep the bike at security but my C-BAg contained a small penknife that had become lodged in the lining. No access to office until I found it at which point it was confiscated. Eventually got it back after describing in writing it's benign use for fruit, envelopes and shifting flints from tyre treads:
(2) There was a huge wait for appointments to swear the Executors Affidavit at court. However a local solicitor would do it for £20 or so (only plus was the diesel to drive to Towcester to his office)
Profpointy
Legendary Member
The percentage rake is typically lower on a higher value property.
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke UK
OTOH we're currently dealing with estate of my own Mother. Pecuniary legacies then split two ways between me and my sister. Enough value to engage IHT and complexities with trusts etc Mum had entered into to (a) minimise said IHT and (b) my sister's share being in trust to mitigate her potential IHT. Executors are Sis and I plus partner in firm that drew up will.
I think we need professional involvement but less than two months in I'm already getting anxious about delay. There's a life policy that's written in trust and should go directly to sis and I to pay IHT. I'm having to chase almost daily just to get the paperwork for that policy signed off by third trustee (in addition to sis and I) who is ex partner, now consultant, to another firm who were Dad's solicitors 25 years ago. They know him and where he lives so not difficult to procure his signature, which should be all that's needed.
I have this feeling that I'm going to spend next two years breathing down their necks to get stuff done and paying for their time in responding.
I think we need professional involvement but less than two months in I'm already getting anxious about delay. There's a life policy that's written in trust and should go directly to sis and I to pay IHT. I'm having to chase almost daily just to get the paperwork for that policy signed off by third trustee (in addition to sis and I) who is ex partner, now consultant, to another firm who were Dad's solicitors 25 years ago. They know him and where he lives so not difficult to procure his signature, which should be all that's needed.
I have this feeling that I'm going to spend next two years breathing down their necks to get stuff done and paying for their time in responding.
midliferider
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
There are 3 categories of people that you must always try to avoid in your life.
1. Lawyers
2. Police
3. Social workers.
Involve any of them in your life matters, your life will be considerably worse off.
1. Lawyers
2. Police
3. Social workers.
Involve any of them in your life matters, your life will be considerably worse off.
Vapin' Joe
Formerly known as Smokin Joe
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
And undertakers. Don't forget undertakers.
midliferider
Guru
- Location
- Northampton
Luckily. have had no dealings so far.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
If you are worried about pipes freezing then drain the heating system and turn the water off.
The saying in the City of London is
"there are only two professions where the less efficient you are, the more you get paid"
Bankers and Lawyers
Profpointy
Legendary Member
One laywer in small town will starve. Two laywers will make each other rich