Being appointed Executor of a deceased estate can seem daunting – especially if it’s not something you’ve done before and you are time-poor. And when grief over the deceased or conflict over assets is added to the mix, it can feel overwhelming.
As Executor there are often quite a lot of steps to take.
Steps in administering a deceased estate
Determining if a Will was made – and if so, what it contains.
Obtaining the death certificate.
Making funeral arrangements in accordance with the wishes of the deceased (if specified).
Applying for Grant of Probate or Administration if necessary.
Gathering, valuing and dealing with all the deceased’s assets and liabilities – such as selling their home and/or shares, closing bank accounts and opening an estate account, paying any undischarged mortgages or loans, and more.
Distributing remaining assets (after payment of liabilities and costs) to beneficiaries.
Dealing with any Deed of Family Arrangements – that is where beneficiaries agree on changes to asset distribution.
Selling the deceased’s home can be very involved. You may need to clean out the home and do some repairs, as well as deal with real estate agents, contracts of sale and so much more.
And then there may be other assets to manage – such as cars, boats, possessions, furniture, antiques, jewellery, cash, and items of sentimental value.
How to reduce time and stress as estate Executor
Sometimes you might need a little professional assistance to help you through the process.
One way to do this is to appoint a property vendor's advocate that deals in deceased estates. The types of services on offer may include:
Dealing with items left on the property – such arranging collections by charities or beneficiaries, and/or selling or disposing of unwanted items.
Getting professional valuations done.
Inviting real estate agents to tender for the listing, and helping you decide on the best agent for the job of selling the property.
Preparing the property for sale – which may include repairs and renovations, as well as ensuring the property looks its best for the sale.
Helping you decide on a method of sale – whether private treaty or auction for example.
Maintaining and managing the property so it continues to be well presented and in top condition right up to settlement.
Working with solicitors throughout the process to assist you and the beneficiaries.
Keeping you updated with everything that is happening around the performance of the property on the market.
Providing support right through to the end of the process.
At Scout Corp, we can provide all the above services and more, to relieve some of the stress that can come with administering deceased estates.
We help Executors with all aspects of the property sales process to ensure beneficiaries get the maximum return on the sale. We also understand that the death of a loved one can be a distressing time, so we aim to act in the most sensitive and respectful manner possible throughout.
Want to know more? Watch our video and get in touch with us today.
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