What does an executor of a will do?
In Scotland, a person responsible for administering an estate is known as an executor. Our executry solicitors based in Edinburgh and Glasgow have experience of winding up estates and can assist you with as much of the process as you require, which can take a great deal of the stress and work off your shoulders.
We understand you don’t want the burden of having to deal with all the necessary legal paperwork when you’ve just lost a loved one. There are certain legal procedures which need to be followed however, and our job is to guide you through these as quickly as we can and with the minimum of fuss.
Some of the issues we can help you with include:
- Arranging the funeral
- Winding up the estate
- Grant of confirmation
- Inheritance tax
- Valuing the estate
You may be interested in reading: What is the role of executor in a Will? or Can an executer inherit from a will?
Executry solicitors in Edinburgh and Glasgow
When you come to us after someone has passed away, you’ll get the care, attention and professionalism you’d expect from a family run law firm. We will go out of our way to make things as easy as possible for you and are happy to meet wherever suits you best.
Video – Executries: Helping You When a Will Has Been Left
Lindsay Maclean, Head of Personal Law, answers some of the questions you might have about executries, and about being the executor of a will.
Video – Executries: Helping You When There Isn’t a Will
Stuart Millar, an Associate in the Personal Law team in Edinburgh, answers some of the questions you might have about executries when no will has been left.
Do I need an executry solicitor?
As an executor, you aren’t required to appoint a solicitor to act for you in the administration of the estate. You can deal with all of the administration work yourself.
However, depending on the amount and value of assets in the estate and the number of beneficiaries, this can be an onerous and time-consuming task. Additionally, if there are any complex issues, such as trust clauses within the will or legal rights claims due to children of the deceased person, it may be sensible to take specialist legal advice. If you do choose to appoint a solicitor to advise you in relation to the estate, you can agree with them which aspects of the estate administration they will deal with on your behalf. You may choose to deal with some matters yourself.
At Gibson Kerr, our executry solicitors are happy to discuss with you how much of the estate administration you would like us to deal with for you.
You may be interested in reading: When Someone Dies in Scotland: A Legal Checklist
What are the benefits of using Gibson Kerr as executry solicitors?
Our personal law solicitors specialise in the area of wills and executries and, between them, have many years’ experience of dealing with executries. Our solicitors have dealt with lots of different cases, including estates with assets situated abroad; estates where wills have been challenged; estates where the deceased has handwritten a will; and estates where the children of the deceased person wished to make legal rights claims on the estate. We also have experience of dealing with inheritance tax returns for estates and can calculate the correct amount of inheritance tax due on a large estate.
As a small firm, you will have direct access to one of our personal law solicitors and your solicitor will always keep you informed of progress with the executry. We will also make sure you are fully informed about the fees being incurred so there is no surprise with fees at the end of the day.
