Taking over as executor

[BeatriceLacey]

My dad's died and my mum is named as executor on his will (made in 1984). She is too elderly and upset to deal with it. My dad actually intended me to be executor but never got around to getting his more recent will signed.

I am totally confused on whether I can just take over or whether my mum needs to fill in a PA11 form or I need to apply for letters of administration. There is no need to apply for probate as the house and most accounts are in joint names. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

I’m sorry for your loss.
I think she’ll have to fill in a PA11. Check first though whether any of the institutions require probate. I didn’t think I’d need to get probate as it was a straightforward estate but banks/building societies all have their own requirements, depending on the amount invested.
Probate is very straightforward to apply for yourself if you have the time.

Is everything left to your mum or are there other beneficiaries?

If everything is in joint names then you shouldn’t in theory need probate but as a pp says, some financial organisations annoyingly require it, even though legally it’s not needed.