Solicitor is an executor

[Farmers]

Good morning, my father in law passed away and has made both his kids and the solicitor executors. Both the kids are the only beneficiaries and what estate my father in law had will barely cover the funeral costs. Our concern is how much the solicitor will charge us-unfortunately he has a bit of a reputation. Many thanks.

[Pezza54]

Hi
Welcome to LB
If there is no property and v little in savings accounts in the deceased's estate probate is not required. Banks will release the deceased's savings to an executor when the executor provides a copy of the will, death certificate and ID
So no need to involve the expensive solicitor

[PallasAthena]

If the solicitor can see there is hardly any money in the Estate - so the solicitor knows they aren't going to make much money from it - they might be happy to decline the appointment if all the children request it. The request must come from all of them. Then the children can deal with this very small Estate themselves. They need to do it quickly though before the solicitor starts to do anything as that would make it difficult for him to withdraw.

Appeal to the solicitor's greed - "you can see there is no money to pay you" [Not, of course, implying all solicitors are greedy ....].

[atticus]

The solicitor can be politely asked to renounce the appointment as executor. I know firms who will do this as a matter of course if requested, but it appears that there are others who will not.

[atticus]

Here is an article giving professional guidance - https://communities.lawsociety.org.u...001952.article

[Neet Lurker]

The solicitor acting as Executor for my Late Mother's estate took about two and a half years to distribute the funds once the sale of the house had been completed with no explanation provided as to why I, the beneficiary, had to wait so long. Trust solicitors as far as you can throw them imo

[Pezza54]

A pecuniary legacy (a fixed sum of money) should be paid to a beneficiary as soon as possible. If not paid within a year from the date of death the beneficiary is entitled to claim interest