Duties of Executors & Trustees
Executors and Trustees are the people appointed to administer an estate in accordance with the terms of the will.
The role of an Executor and Trustee consists of:
realising the deceased's assets, and where required, obtaining a Grant of Probate
paying the debts and any inheritance tax due
distributing the net estate to the beneficiaries
taking personal responsibility for ensuring that the estate is administered properly and that all liabilities and outstanding tax are paid within strict time limits
collating and storing all relevant documentation securely in order to maximise tax allowances
becoming legal owners of trust assets on behalf of beneficiaries, and dealing with these in accordance with the terms set out in the will
providing a statutory duty of care imposed by the Trustee Act 2000
holding regular meetings and keeping full records and accounts of any Trusts
accounting to HM Revenue & Customs and payment of any tax due
having the responsibility for seeking the best independent financial advice on investments
These duties are not to be undertaken lightly and Executors and Trustees will find themselves personally liable for any mismanagement.
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