Administration of Estates

The administration of an estate involves the collecting in of a deceased person’s assets, paying any debts and liabilities, including inheritance tax, and ensuring that gifts and legacies made under a Will are dealt with. Finally, the residue of the estate is distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will or under the rules of intestacy (if the deceased person did not leave a Will).

It is the responsibility of the Personal Representative (the Executor appointed under the Will or an Administrator in the case of an intestacy) of the estate to ensure that all matters pertaining to the administration of a deceased person’s estate are carried out. A Personal Representative can be personally liable for any errors, or any financial loss to the estate, and as such, obtaining professional advice is often crucial.

Our Personal Legal Services lawyers will guide you, or undertake all matters in relation to the administration of an estate on your behalf, depending on your requirements and instructions, from obtaining the grant of administration to dealing with the tax implications and making final distributions. Our Directors regularly act as Personal Representatives and Trustees or Attorneys on behalf of Personal Representatives if, for example, the Personal Representative resides abroad.

If the deceased person had assets abroad or there are agricultural or business property assets involved, then the administration can become much more complicated and early advice is recommended.