...to wonder if this inheritance is more hassle than it's worth

[TickTickClock]

An elderly, distant relative living in the USA has asked me to be the executor to his will. I'm his only living blood relative. The other executor will be his wife's daughter from her first marriage (I've met the wife many times but never her daughter who lives hundreds of miles away from her mum and stepdad). The two of us will also be the main beneficiaries to the estate.

There would be a house to sell and contents to dispose of, plus all affairs to be wound up.

As things stand I imagine I would be set to inherit around $100k so a very nice windfall - but not enough to retire on! I'm honoured to be offered it but it also sounds like a huge amount of hassle and expense (in terms of legal costs - I can't see myself managing it without paying an American lawyer! - and time spent over there sorting things out when the time comes).

Torn between accepting gratefully (YABU) - and gently suggesting it might be easier if they find a trusted US friend or lawyer to sort out the will (YANBU) - even if it might mean forfeiting any potential inheritance.

What would you do?

#TickTocClock...Mirror wills are heavily discouraged in the US even with joint finances. Because in the US whatever you earn or have before marriage or if you have inherited does not mean your spouse automatically inherits those things. For instance since most of my properties in the US were obtained before marriage. He inheritis nothing of these properties. He gets life time useage of 1 house but once he dies it goes up for sale. He cannot sell it or will it to someone else.So might not even need to clear a house
You need to contact an estate lawyer with costs about 190.00 pounds per hour But to be fair its early and I haven't checked the conversion rate this morning. Also, the typical probate process is about 2 years and that's if its not contested by anyone. Think long and hard about this.

CakeRequired Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.