The personal representative of the deceased who has been named in the will is called the executor. It’s their job to work with the solicitor to deal with the deceased’s estate – by which we mean that they will help the solicitor to identify all the assets, property, bank accounts etc, and assist the solicitor in providing details about family members and other people who are named in the will.  The solicitor will work to put a value on all of the assets of the deceased, and then apply to the Court for a Grant of Probate, which is issued in the executor’s name.

If the person has died leaving no will, then usually the next of kin deals with the estate and is called the administrator. The deceased is said to have died “intestate”, and instead of applying for a Grant of Probate, the solicitor will help the Administrator apply for Letters of Administration.

Executors and administrators are responsible for making sure that all of the deceased's property is accounted for, and is given to the right people (the beneficiaries).

This can be a very onerous responsibility, and sometimes executors and administrators can be personally liable if any mistakes are made. That’s why the solicitor is so important in this type of case, and we will navigate you in your personal representative role sympathetically, practically, and efficiently.