In the UK the executor of the will is the person who has to ‘execute’ the will of the deceased. Meaning that they need to deal with the administration of the estate, and ensure that each beneficiary receives their inheritance. It can be a difficult job, and certainly one that takes a long time (especially if the executor has a full time job to deal with as well). It can be costly too, and that is where the executor’s expense comes in.
There are some costs that are unavoidable when it comes to executing a will. The amounts are often small amounts, but all added together they can become a fairly large amount, and for some the cost can even become difficult to manage. This is why the executor is able to claim back certain expenses from the estate. Via the following, if they have been incurred through the administration of that estate, and if those expenses have gone on to benefit the estate and its beneficiaries.
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Expenses that can be claimed
There isn’t an exact list of what is (or what isn’t) an expense which can be claimed back by the executor. This will depend from estate to estate, but here are some to consider that might be allowable:
- Postage costs
- Paying off utility bills
- Maintenance to any property such as a gardener
- Valuations for assets
- Clearing costs
- Cleaning costs
- Insurances
- Mileage (can only be claimed when the executor travelled a long distance to carry out administration.)
Expenses that are claimed for can be rejected by the beneficiaries in some cases. This will happen if the cost was incurred for something that did not go on to benefit the estate in any way. Or if there is no evidence that the executor had such a cost in the first place.
The executor’s expense can soon add up, this is why it is important for the executor to keep records of everything they’ve spent. Then there can be no challenges and the executor is not left out of pocket.
As Executor, what Probate forms will carry an expense?
All the required probate forms won’t cost you anything as an executor, you will just need to print them off, fill them out and then send them to the main probate registry for checking. Therefore postage, paper and cost for printing will be the only expensive when it comes to completing the required probate forms. We offer a fixed fee probate service, covering every area of the process from start to finish, call us on 02039 859 554 for full details and quote for our services.
i have dealt with a friends death from start to finish he has since been cremated ,family members refused to take any responsibility and gave me full permission. i do not stand to inherit through intesacy laws but have been working since the death sorting everything emptying flat paying for deathe certificate and administration fee can i claim anything back
why cant a friend of twenty years named next of kin be a beneficiary if family had disownwd person from years ago he did not leave a will but told people in authority he wanted me to have everything?
I cared for my friend daily sorted out hospital s and doctors shopping and everything through his life was with him at death and dealt with his entire affairs as no one would come forward and help me my freind was like a dad to me it dosnt seem fair
now i have put into administer of which has already been done i do not want to be responsible to passing his estate to people that do not deserve it and i dont know what to do now
I lost 30.00 per week wages from 10th october – 22 December and am still working to clear the flat and sort ashes please advise
this has devastated me as i am disabled myself and have been poorly and distressed sorting everything when i was grieving my self no one gave a dam or supported me and they are so unworthy of his estate i would rather it went to charity!