Information for Personal Representatives
Guidance to help you understand your responsibilities as an Executor or Administrator
Your questions, answered
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If you’re the Personal Representative (also called an Executor or Administrator), you’re responsible for making sure the estate is shared according to the deceased’s Will, or, if there isn’t one, according to the law. Being a Personal Representative comes with important responsibilities, so it’s a role to take seriously.
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Personal Representatives (Executors or Administrators) are legally and financially responsible for the correct distribution of the estate
An Executor or Administrator is also personally liable for the incorrect distribution of an estate
They are responsible for maximising the estate for those who are inheriting (known as beneficiaries)
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As a Personal Representative, you and/or your Solicitor may come across challenges whilst administering the estate. These could include:
Trying to locate missing beneficiaries
Working out who should inherit under the rules of intestacy if no Will was left
Bringing foreign shares or funds back to the UK
Locating missing documents such as the Will
These challenges make it easier to make mistakes, and if errors happen, you could be held personally responsible. That’s why we always recommend getting expert help if you run into any of these situations.
For example, if a beneficiary you didn’t know about comes forward later, they could claim their share of the estate from you. By doing a careful check and having Missing Beneficiary Indemnity Insurance in place, you can protect yourself from any future problems.
Outsourcing work to a specialist
Outsourcing the specialist aspects of estate administration can speed up the process, resulting in a quicker distribution for beneficiaries. At Title Research, we have the knowledge and experience to make the task or project progress more smoothly and quickly than if you or your Solicitor were to carry out the work yourself.
Quick and efficient
Our dedicated team of experts ensures a smooth, efficient resolution, allowing you to distribute the estate to the beneficiaries as quickly as possible.
Overcoming complexities
We are familiar with handling complicated family structures and situations to determine who is set to inherit when there is no Will.
Experienced approach
We’ve been helping people handle even the most complex estate cases for over 60 years, so you can feel confident you’re in safe, experienced hands.
Transparent pricing
We are open and honest regarding our fees. Our price is in no way dependent on the value of the estate and is calculated based on the work involved.
International reach
With trusted contacts and specialist partners around the world, we know just where to look to find the information and people you need.
Peace of mind
We carry out our research with insurance in mind, so we can put the right cover in place and make sure you’re always protected.
Understanding charging methods
Personal Representatives should approach costs with caution, as it is always worth considering the transparency of the price you are being quoted. Pricing transparency in the legal sector has been a popular topic of conversation for some time due to unethical and unclear billing practices.
There are three main charging methods:
How we charge
You can relax knowing our fees don’t depend on the value of the estate. The cost stays the same no matter the sums at stake. That’s why we use fixed fees whenever we can. If a fixed price isn’t possible, we’ll always be clear and fair about costs based on the time and work involved.
Approached by an Heir Hunter?
Take a look at our guide to Heir Hunters to learn how they work and how to make sure you get a fair deal.