@friendlycat
Luckily I don't really have to get my siblings on board, only the other executor and she isn't that bothered what I do. I'd rather not have a row with them but ultimately, as executor, it is up to me.
@Mum5net
Thank you.
Is there any merit in talking to the probate solicitor about refunding some of your executor expenses like petrol, hotels, the cost of lending money (including lost interest) to the Estate? It maybe there is some residual money that has been refunded to DM eg tax rebates etc that they have not said.
I'm not using a solicitor for probate, probate itself is actually very easy (and it's done now). I used an accountant to help with the IHT. I know what is available, it's just over £2k (as you say, tax rebates, warm home payment [!] etc), but I've kept it totally separate in a different account and all untouched so it's clearly traceable. I'm very conscious of needing to show the accounts if asked.
A lot of those expenses over the past year were when mum was ill, that's in the £10k (petrol, hotels etc). The £7k is paying for hotels for family (all of whom, are suddenly broke) to attend the funeral, funeral catering, ongoing utilities, associated costs with death (death certs etc), grass cutting, I had to have a tree doctored, cleaning, EPC cert....it goes on, it really adds up.
I have a lawyer lined up for the conveyancing and to help me with the trust for the minor (which I am trustee for but want to give up).
@OneDayIWillLearn
Thank you - those are all the kinds of things I need to think through. Useful suggestions.
@BruceAndNosh
It IS detached - but I think there alley way behind that gate between the two detached houses and the tall front wall makes them look joined.
The floor plan should show the gate and the gap between the houses
I've never seen a floor plan of the outside, not sure how this could work.
It's a stupid pointless bit of wall, no idea what the point of it is.
@Newgirls
That house will never sell, it's got a red wall!
@HobnobsChoice
The floor plan is slightly confusing, which I don't know if it's laziness on the EAs part or the nature of an old and converted property. Are there steps from the main bedroom into the bathroom and from the dining room into the snug? Is there an internal window from bed 2 onto the hallway?
All correct, yes, so it's not confusing :)
There are three steps from the main bedroom into the bathroom, also from the landing to the shower room (not shown). There is a window on the corridor to bedroom 3, and also to bedroom 3. The proportions are not helpful as it's a narrow window but on the pic it looks like it takes up half the wall, it doesn't.
I'd call it a cute feature.
And yes there are two steps from the dining room to the snug (study) and very very small steps (maybe 2 inches) from the living room the kitchen, kitchen to utility and kitchen to pantry. It was a nightmare getting the assessment for mum to have care at home I can tell you!
The most immediate thing would be removing the shower from the main bathroom to create a door way
I doubt that would work, it's not wide enough for a door. Not that that's relevant.
@Pr1mr0se
I'm not sure how it can be classed as a detached house when it looks as if it is attached to next door.
It's just a bit of wall, but I don't know what does or doesn't count as detached. There are none of the actual house walls joined to any other house.
@ChaoticCrumble
You have to remember that if you ask for advice, you're going to get more than you expect :)
It's OK, I've been on MN over ten years, I know what it's like. I was just responding to people asking me why I wasn't fawning over the opinions being given - I don't have to agree with everything and, actually, it's not as if everyone on the thread has said the same things anyway. Mostly I was just explaining why things are the way they are and why I can't dash over there and build an extension this weekend.....
I'm going to ask my sister to rewrite the blurb and then I'll send that to the EA ready to be able to take off the 'subject to probate' and think about the price.