Executor templates

[sarahlou74]

Hi All, thank you for adding me to the group.
I have been made executor for a family member's estate and trying to follow best practice. Does anybody have any templates please for writing to the beneficiaries to inform them of their bequests that they would be happy to supply? Thanking you in anticipation.

[atticus]

Welcome, but you do not need a template to do this. Write and tell them. You appear to be articulate and capable of saying clearly that which needs to be said.

[PallasAthena]

We don'thave templates for this. Every estate is different. If you are right at the start of the process I wouldn't do any more than let them know that you are the Executor and that at this stage you do not know how large their legacy will be but you will keep them advised in due course. I wouldn't guess at how much the value of the Estate is until you have gathered all the information and are able to apply for probate. Not even people who have been left a specific item (what if the piece of jewellery specified in the Will can't be found?)

[sarahlou74]

Thank you both, just to clarify the main savings and house is to be left between 4 parties, 1 person has been bequeathed £500, and there are paintings and ornaments to be split to specified people which are definitely in the property.
Would you specify in the letter you have been left 25% of an estate and the exact amount has yet to be determined and passed through probate. I will be back in touch in due course etc. ?
You have been left £500 and I will back in touch in due course as probate needs to be obtained before the estate can be dispersed etc. ?
You have been left a ------ painting but probate needs to be obtained before this can be released out ?
I will also need to apply for the nil rate band allowance on the 2nd death, so not sure if this complicates handing out specified items to the beneficiaries before probate is agreed. Obviously they will need to valued to which I don't think will be a great deal - probably under £300 in total at the most.
Would you also leave the specified goods in the unoccupied property or remove them to my own house for safe keeping until probate is completed?
Hope this makes sense.

[PallasAthena]

Would you also leave the specified goods in the unoccupied property or remove them to my own house for safe keeping until probate is completed?

An Executor is responsible for the safekeeping of the property of the deceased until it is distributed to beneficiaries so yes it would be right for you to remove all valuables from the deceased's house to your own to keep them secure. That is what Executors normally do.

[ULA]

Having just been an executor of a large estate (took on more than I realised), I would suggest you just write to all beneficiaries confirming that they have been left a legacy in the Will of xxx and that you are the Executor of that Will. Confirm that you are currently in the process of completing all the necessary documents to obtain Grant of Probate. I would also let the know that once the documentation has been sent off to the Probate Registry the typical time for obtaining a Grant is around 16 weeks. You are thereby setting expectations. Confirm that distribution of the estate in accordance with the deceased wishes will occur once Grant of Probate has been obtained.

Agree with PallasAthena regarding removing all valuables and keep them secure. Also ensure insurance is maintained on the property, this will be and expense to the estate.