Administration of Estates
At an already difficult time, administering a loved one’s estate can feel overwhelming. We make the process swift and straightforward.
Probate, Inheritance and Executry Lawyers, Caribbean and England & Wales
Estate administration can be complicated and, without legal support, it is all too easy for a personal representative to make a mistake.
The individual responsible for winding up the estate is the deceased’s personal representative. If there is a Will in place, they are known as the executor. If there is no Will, they are referred to as an administrator. If you are acting as a personal representative, you will need to apply for probate to give you the authority to deal with the estate.
EMA Solutions’ capable team can assist you throughout the administration process. We work sensitively to administer your loved one’s estate with ease and speed, giving you time to be with your family when they need you most.
What does the administration of an estate involve?
Your foremost duty as a personal representative is to collate the deceased’s assets. You may need to collect documents like bank statements and property titles, as well as keys to physical property such as houses, vehicles and deposit boxes. You must preserve the assets and take reasonable steps to prevent any loss to the estate, for example by protecting property from theft or damage.
You should have assets valued to ensure they are sold at an appropriate price. When distributing assets or their realised value, you are obligated to take adequate measures to locate creditors of the estate. Debts, taxes and funeral expenses must be settled before assets are distributed to beneficiaries.
As a personal representative, you can be held personally liable if a loss to the estate occurs due to you breaching your duties - even if you made a mistake in good faith. Loss-incurring breaches could include, for instance, a failure to pay all debts and taxes due, or an incorrect distribution of funds to beneficiaries.
The duties of a personal representative can therefore be onerous and, wisely, many executors and administrators seek legal support to ensure they do not make a costly error.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact our Estate Administration Lawyers Caribbean and England & Wales
(Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines & Saint Kitts & Nevis)
We take the time to understand your situation and tailor our services to your individual needs. Call us now for immediate support.
While our Managing Director Dr Dawn De Coteau is called to the Bar in Grenanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis and England & Wales, we work in association with a range of seasoned attorneys and barristers in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica and across the Caribbean.
UK OFFICE3rd Floor5 Chancery LaneLewis Silkin BuildingHolbornLondonEC4A 1BL
T: +44 208 638 8344 M: +44 7875 308 403
CARIBBEAN OFFICEPO Box 4362nd FloorThe ConnectionsKirani James BlvdSt George’sGrenada
T: +1 473 435 5855 M: +1 473 457 5855
UK REGISTERED OFFICE1A White Hart RoadOrpingtonKentUnited KingdomBR6 0HD
T: +44 208 638 8344 M: +44 787 530 8403
UK OFFICE3rd Floor5 Chancery LaneLewis Silkin BuildingHolbornLondonEC4A 1BL
T: +44 208 638 8344 M: +44 7875 308 403
CARIBBEAN OFFICEPO Box 4362nd FloorThe ConnectionsKirani James BlvdSt George’sGrenada
T: +1 473 435 5855 M: +1 473 457 5855
UK REGISTERED OFFICE1A White Hart RoadOrpingtonKentUnited KingdomBR6 0HD
T: +44 208 638 8344 M: +44 787 530 8403