No one wants to lose a loved one. And yet, it’s a non-negotiable part of the human experience. We have a limited time on this earth to spend with the people we love – and no matter how much time we do spend with them, it’s ultimately never enough. At some point, they go. And, if you were close enough to them, you’ll have been trusted with managing their affairs in their now-permanent absence.
This is an unenviable position in which to find oneself, no matter which way you cut it. To be the executor of a loved one’s estate is a sombre responsibility, and no amount of financial inheritance is enough to make you whole in the absence of your loved one as you resolve their estate. Stressful as it is to execute a will on top of your own grieving process, it needn’t be too stressful. Let the following tips help you with your upcoming will-execution journey, to bring in a swift probate process and, ultimately, to give you more time to grieve well.
Get Organised Early: Documentation, Timeline And Executor Duties
As with practically anything in the way of adult responsibilities, preparation is nothing short of key to minimising future effort. The more documents and information you have to hand early on, the better. This means gathering the will, death certificate, deceased’s bank details and key contacts, as well as an asset and liability list for a full understanding of the financial situation.
With all of this to hand, you are less likely to be caught on the back foot when asked for pertinent information. This results in clearer timelines both for you as an executor and for the probate solicitors you’ve engaged to handle the legal part of the equation.
Manage The Estate Smartly
Swiftness is not always possible when you have a full life of your own to lead, but the quicker you can act in certain cases, the better. For instance, it’s likely that there is property in the will – property which needs to be valued in order for a wider estate value to be calculated. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can calculate the estate’s Inheritance Tax liabilities. These are liabilities that need to be handled at source, before beneficiaries receive their fair share.
Mitigate Risk And Reduce Emotional Toll For Your Family
With the above in mind, probate is much more likely to be granted in short order – but probate isn’t the only step in the process. Another big factor in delays during the will execution process can be interpersonal in nature – namely, arguments between beneficiaries over the contents of the will. These are not your arguments to solve; wills are legally binding for exactly this reason, and legal advice is highly advised for much the same.
Take Advantage Of Digital And Legal Changes To Speed Things Up
As a final note, there is good news from the HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS); probate times have been halved to just over 4 weeks for many applicants, dramatically reducing your own waiting time for administrative issues to be solved. With this in mind, you should find the probate process swifter than ever – and your own freedom to grieve in clear view.