Being an executor of a Will can feel overwhelming for some people, but it doesn’t need to be. The duties of an Executor include: 1. It is important to choose an executor who understands the legal, financial and taxation implications and can maintain independence if there are disputes. There will be some changes to our opening hours and payment dates during the holidays, after probate, preparing account and tax information for beneficiaries and paying liabilities (, Information about financial management orders, Information for private financial managers, Request a review of a financial management order. As an Executor in New South Wales (NSW), you will be required to arrange a funeral (burial or cremation) for the deceased. This person is known as the executor and their role is to carry out the instructions in your Will. The executor is the person appointed in a deceased person's will to manage her estate and distribute assets to the will's beneficiaries. Finally, the Executor must distribute the Estate in accordance with the Will. An executor's many responsibilities require him to have access to the estate's funds, which sometimes can prove too much of a temptation for someone inclined to dishonesty. Find out more here. For example, it would be unreasonable for the Executor to plan an extravagant funeral when the Estate is small. Your main role as executor is to represent the person who has passed away and wrap up all of their personal, financial and legal affairs. They were always available with answers which they communicated in language that the non-lawyer could understand. An executor or administrator is entitled to claim commission from the estate for their services. Duties of an Executor . notifying government agencies, utilities, financial institutions etc. The Executor may need to lodge an income tax return on behalf of the deceased. Following the grant of probate from the Court, in NSW the Supreme Court, it is beneficial that an executor opens a bank account in the name of the deceased estate and deposit their assets into it. These rules put the executor in a position of great responsibility, as he is the only defendant of the will. While these jointly held assets do not form part of the Estate, they should still be identified by the Executor and disclosed to the court during the application for probate. Once probate has been granted, the Executor has the authority to deal with the assets and liabilities of the deceased’s Estate (that were listed in number 2). Turnbull Hill Lawyers were an amazing team to work with. Once the Will has been located and the beneficiaries have been confirmed, the Executor must obtain probate of the last Will and Testament of the deceased. What happens if the time limit to contest proceedings has expired. Locating the deceased’s Will and obtaining a Death Certificate 3. An executor is the person appointed in a Will to carry out the wishes of a person after that person dies. NSW Trustee & Guardian are a government agency that specialise in wills and estates. Section 19 ‘Executor to be admitted a witness’ of the Wills Act 1936 (SA) states: No person is on account of being an executor of a will incompetent to be admitted a witness to … a responsible and competent executor. The Executor will also need to identify the assets and liabilities listed as part of the Estate. The court usually will not award you any … finding out about assets and debts by contacting financial institutions, service providers and government agencies, making an inventory of personal and household effects, cash, business interests, real estate and securities (including property outside of NSW), after probate, preparing account and tax information for beneficiaries and paying liabilities (including income tax that relates to periods both before and after the death). I have nothing but the highest regard and gratitude for Adrian Corbould who was my acting lawyer in contesting my fathers will, I could not have asked for better! If you're the executor of a Will and need professional help, you can complete the NSW Trustee & Guardian online contact form, or call them on 1300 364 103 The fees that NSW Trustee & Guardian charge for administering an estate are set by the NSW government. Whether you have drafted a Will or are thinking of drafting a Will, the question of who you should appoint as your Executor is an important one. In order to gain authority to carry out his duties, the Executor may apply to the courts of NSW. Death of one of the executors. For example, if the Executor fails to administer the Estate in the required time limit, resulting in a reduction of the Estate assets, the Executor may be held personally liable by a beneficiary or creditor for that reduction. This enables debts and liabilities, such as outstanding tax and administrations costs, to be paid off prior to directing money to beneficiaries. The executor completes the legal documents and searches for the assets; or arranges for a lawyer or trustee company to do this. In … the debts of the Estate. The Executor is in a position of trust, personally chosen by the will maker to fulfill their wishes, maximise the estate and act in the best interests of the beneficiaries. Some Estates are sizeable and complicated and require the help of a professional legal practitioner to assist the Executor in fulfilling their duties. You can choose a friend or relative, or appoint an independent trustee organisation like NSW Trustee & Guardian. Until probate has been granted the deceased’s assets are completely frozen. When would a Court remove an executor? Can an executor sell the property of a deceased estate? Generally, you will only be paid for your time spent as an executor if the will specifically says you should be. An executor may take on the role of trustee if there is a trust established by the Will When an executor has completed all of their duties, their role ends. In NSW, if a Grant of Probate application is filed more than 6 months after the date of death of the deceased, a justification of the delay is required. If the deceased has not left their Will in the custody of a professional, or in the care of a family member or friend, locating the Will could be a lengthy process that involves searching through the deceased’s personal possessions. In the NSW case of Chick v Grosfeld (No 3) 1, the accountant executor sought to include over 50 hours of time for arranging the funeral. The Court has an inherent power to order the removal of executor who is 'unfit to act in such office'. I contacted Turnbull Hill Lawyers in 2017 seeking legal representation. However, the Executor will be given access to the deceased’s bank account in order to cover the funeral costs and expenses, and any court fees related to acquiring the Grant of Probate. When you make your Will, you need to appoint a person or organisation to administer your estate. Once the Estate’s assets have been called in and all claims have been prosecuted, the Executor will need to pay off all the deceased’s outstanding debts, i.e. Courts are often reluctant to remove an executor without strong grounds. It is crucial to get everything right because the Executor is legally responsible for administering the estate in accordance with both the terms of the Will, and the law. For more information about how to go about this please visit the ATO website or contact an accountant. Anyone who wishes to make a claim against the Estate has twelve months to do so after the deceased’s date of death. preparing all necessary documents required to apply to the Supreme Court for a grant of probate. If this occurs, the Executor must inform beneficiaries of any delay and provide a new revised expected date of receiving the entitlement. In general, the role of the executor is to defend the interests of the beneficiaries under the provisions of the Will. An executor cannot claim commission if they are also named as a beneficiary in the will unless the will specifically entitles the executor to claim commission in addition to their share. It is important to note that any assets that the deceased held jointly with another party or person do not form part of the Estate and cannot be called in as part of the Estate. This is ordered by the Probate and Administration Act. Superannuation is classed as a separate contract between the deceased and the superannuation trustee to pay particular beneficiaries, or a group of them, in the event of death. It is the Executor’s responsibility to preserve the assets listed as part of the Estate from waste. The Executor will still need to prove who they are in order to take full control of these assets and liabilities. Any costs or expenses incurred from the funeral are paid from the Estate, before any of the beneficiaries receive their share. The Executor can be an individual person or a trustee company. It is important to consider that the Executor’s role, and his/her associated duties, will vary depending on the type of Estate. This means the Executor must ensure the assets are not wasted due to their own action or inaction. Executors are also required to locate the original Will and confirm the Will’s beneficiaries. If one of two or more executors has died, the surviving executor or executors are entitled to act. Due to the nature of the role, the Executor has strict duties that must be adhered to. These costs must be reasonable. This must occur as soon as possible after death. The Executor will need to determine who the beneficiaries are and if they are still alive. That said, you have the right to apply to the Supreme Court of NSW for commission regardless of what the will says. The order and manner of which these debts are to be paid is determined by whether the Estate is solvent (there are enough assets to cover all debts) or insolvent (there are insufficient assets to pay all debts). If you are an Executor of a Will and require assistance with any part of the administration process, or you are worried about a possible claim against the Estate, please give our Contested Wills & Estates Team a call or send us a message using the form at the bottom of this page. Renunciation. An executor of a Will is the person nominated to take care of a deceased person's estate after they pass away. Can Your Solicitor be the Executor of Your Will? These include those associated with the funeral, the testamentary process (probate) and administration (including legal fees). Put simply, this involves making sure their debts are paid and that their assets and possessions go where the deceased wanted them to. This is particularly important when religious beliefs need to be respected. Automatic language translation For example, if the Estate includes real estate that needs to be sold, the real estate must be sold for a price that is regarded as fair market value. This frequently happens when the will is old. The executor role becomes effective when you pass away. Many people see it as a compliment to appoint a relative or close friend as their executor, but finalising your affairs while they’re grieving can be overwhelming and challenging. Being named as Executor in a Will can bring with it complicated, difficult and time-consuming duties which often take up to a year to complete. The Executor can be an individual person or a … Care should be taken to ensure that the deceased’s wishes are carried out, and the Will should be checked for any specific directions. I would highly recommend Turnbull Hill Lawyers and I would have no hesitation to use them again. Nominating an executor can a difficult choice but anyone over the age of 18 is legally allowed to be the executor if they have the mental capacity to do so. Most people engage a solicitor to help them obtain the Grant of Probate. Also, it is not up to the Executor to determine whether a particular debt has priority over another debt. I am an executor of a Will When a person makes a Will, they need to appoint someone to administer their estate – this person is known as the executor. The list of duties outlined below provides information designed to help Executors fulfil their duties. The executor doesn't want to act. This is absolutely essential where the executor is also a beneficiary under the Estate. If you don't want to accept the role of executor, you can appoint NSW Trustee & Guardian to act as the executor for you. The Executor will be fully aware of any outstanding debts as part of the process they go through when applying for a Grant of Probate. An executor, who is also a beneficiary of an estate, is generally taken to receive their inheritance in lieu of an entitlement to commission. In South Australia, the Wills Act provides for an executor of a will to be a witness to it. This means they will need a copy of Probate, Death Certificate and any other forms of identification and documentation requested by the asset holders in order to officially register and transfer, or sell, the assets of the deceased. Avoid choosing an executor that you think will cause disagreements or disputes. A will may name one or more people as executors (called 'instituted executors') as well as backup executors (called 'substitute executors'). As the next of kin, relative or close friend of the deceased, you may need to apply to the Supreme Court of NSW for letters of administration to distribute the deceased’s estate. Particularly at a time when you may be grieving the death of a loved one, it can be challenging to navigate the legal and financial implications of such an important job. What is Probate NSW? For example, if the deceased loaned money to a third party (debt recovery proceedings) or if the deceased’s death was a result of negligence (e.g. medical negligence). distributing the estate assets and funds (this includes first ensuring all liabilities and expenses have been accounted for, paying legacies, transferring specific gifts, establishing any ongoing trusts and transferring or paying any remaining assets to the residuary beneficiaries). Foster children bringing claims against estates, The McKenzie friend – S03E05 – Battle of Wills Video Series, The reading of the will – S03E03 – Battle of Wills Video Series, Bond, Administration Bond – S03E02 – Battle of Wills Video Series, Case Summary: Madison Ashton v Estate of the late Richard Pratt, Foster Child Receives $85,684 After Successfully Contesting a Will, Case Summary: Penninger v Penninger [2017] NSWSC 892. What is your role as an executor? This process may involve organising the transfer of assets, such as property, from the deceased to the intended beneficiary. It is for this reason that Executors seek expert advice from experienced legal practitioners, like Turnbull Hill Lawyers, to ensure this does not occur. If a claim is made the Executor is required to defend the Estate. Alternatively, one of the beneficiaries can apply to the court to become the administrator of the estate (Probate and Administration Act 1898, section 74). There will be some changes to our opening hours and payment dates during the holidays. Everything You Need To Know About Wills, Contested Estates And Family Provision Claims, comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, Deceased Estates, Probate & Administration. While it is not necessary, the Executor should also seek agreement from the deceased’s family before finalising any funeral arrangements. The charging clause was limited to professional work only. The role of executor includes collecting the estate assets, paying debts, and distributing the assets to the beneficiaries named in the Will. These translations should be used as a guide only. 2. Receive NSW Trustee & Guardian news and events straight to your inbox. Being an executor may involve: applying for the death certificate from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Answer: An executor of a will in NSW is the person or people named by a will-maker to carry out their final wishes. The executor should also have regard to any wishes of the deceased as set out in the Will, although in NSW the deceased cannot dictate what is to happen to their body, as ultimately this is a responsibility of the executor. Executor of Will in NSW If you have been named as an executor of a will in NSW and have never executed a will before, it can be difficult to know what your rights are. Details of the death of the executor should be obtained as his or her certificate of death will need to be exhibited to an affidavit by the surviving executor or executors in any application for a grant of probate. What is an executor? The amount they charge depends on how complex the estate is and what services you are asking for. Regardless of whether the Estate is insolvent or solvent there are expenses that must be paid before any debts. The executor role becomes effective when you pass away. The deceased ceases to hold an interest in those assets at the time of their death, with the surviving party or person taking over the deceased’s interest. An executor is the person who handles a deceased person's estate, making sure all property is distributed according to the decedent's wishes and that all debts are paid. The executor of a will is responsible for seeing that the terms of the will are carried out. Partner - Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates. For example, in New South Wales it is an offence to cremate a body against the deceased’s written direction. Please provide details regarding your matter so we can assist you. In NSW, under the ‘rules of intestacy’, relatives are entitled to a share in the deceased person’s property. Trustee and Guardian charge for their services. The Duties of an Executor when the deceased estate is located in NSW An Executor is someone who has been appointed by the Willmaker (also known as the Testator) to carry out the directions that have been laid out within the Will and administer the Estate. Probate is the legal process that proves the validity of a Will. The Executor organises to collect the assets of the deceased, pay any debts and distribute the estate assets to the beneficiaries as set out in the deceased’s Will. Please note that the NSW Trustee and Guardian, if appointed as your executor, is entitled to charge for administering an estate with reference to a different and generally much higher scale of fees. However, the Will can allow the Executor to delay the distribution of assets. The charging clause was limited to professional work only. When someone in NSW dies and leaves behind assets, those assets of the deceased, including real and personal property, are deemed vested in the NSW Trustee. We would not hesitate in recommending your company. The Executor may die after they have obtained a Grant of Probate from the Court as evidence of their authority to administer the Estate. The executor can be a trusted friend or family member, an appointed professional such as a solicitor, or a trustee company. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. When someone dies, an executor is the person appointed by the will to administer the estate. Request an appointment to make or update your Will to appoint us as your executor. If the instituted executor named in the will does not want to act they can file a Renunciation of Probate form with the Supreme Court of NSW. Identifyin… When you make your Will, you need to appoint a person or organisation to administer your estate. Another responsibility that falls under the duties of an Executor is the prosecution of any claims the Executor may have against third parties, provided that the entitlement to pursue these claims did not cease upon death. making funeral arrangements (depending on family situation). If the Will does not provide directions for disposing assets, the rules of intestacy will apply. The Executor is usually responsible for the disposal of the deceased’s body. For example, it is ill-advised to give your executor a right of residence to live in a property where the executor must make decisions about whether they are complying with any conditions. 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