WILL - executor, not family not friend

[Windmill34]

So posted yesterday and got it wrong in my question

Does anyone NOT have any family/friends to carry out their finances on them passing
ie house/money etc
Is there such a person ???
what has anyone else done , yourself, friend
Do you know the costs to do this ?

I see wills like this all the time in my job - they usually choose a solicitor.

Solicitors are often appointed as Executors. They charge a % of the Estate for their services.

I don't have children so will probably appoint one to act in my own will.

Solicitor is really common, saves a lot of arguments and responsibility even in families that do have children.

We've appointed solicitors as ours. Complex estate ish, too much to lump on family or friends.

My friend who was set up as executor has been told by us to ring around solicitors and hand it over.

I know too many people when it's become a huge tasks with any beneficiary charities breathing down their necks.

My kids are still under 18 so I have appointed solicitors. Their fee will be a % of the estate. I decided to do this as ex-husband is totally useless with money and I wanted an independent person to handle the administration.

I know someone who's bank is the executor- they get it as part of the account fee! It worked well when one partner died as the bank were able to slice through all sorts of red tape.

My question is how do the bank or solicitors deal with the contents of the house prior to sale after a person dies?

Having seen how easily estates can be misappropriated and mishandled I would go down the solicitor route. I would also try and get a trusted friend as a second executor to provide a double check- even solicitors can take advantage.

who do you want to leave your estate to? If it’s a charity they will probably assist in drawing up your will.

it is frighteningly easy for an executor to take money from an estate. And very little chance of getting caught. The beneficiary needs proof to go to court, and you can’t get proof as only the executor can see the documentation. Plus it costs £+++++ for the legal fees, most estates aren’t worth pursuing.

be careful.

If there’s anything particularly valuable (think it’s over £500) it will be valued and sold, most likely at auction.

anything else you just get a house clearance company in. They will sell what they can, donate to charity, and bin the rest.

Thank you everyone for your time in answering

I presume it’s best to ring around solicitors and see what their percentage fee is ?