When making a Will, people often ask whether an Executor can also be a Beneficiary. The answer is yes, it’s perfectly normal (and perfectly legal) to name the same person (or people) as both an Executor and a Beneficiary in your Will.

Can I act on behalf of an executor?

Can an executor appoint another executor? If they are unable to act temporarily, for example, they live abroad; it is possible to give a Power of Attorney to another person to act on their behalf. The executor can delegate the functions he/she has to carry out to the attorney.

Can beneficiaries remove executors?

If a beneficiary believes that an estate is not being properly administered, then it is possible for them to apply to the court to substitute or remove an executor or personal representative.

Do you have to be an executor of an inherited house?

The executor has the duty and obligation to see that the last wishes as outlined in the will are fully carried out. If property is involved in the estate, such as a house, this most likely will have to go through a probate process. Individuals who have inherited a house may not realise that it has to go through a probate process.

Can a will be sold by an executor?

In the absence of an explicit direction a will to sell in an executor may sell assets to satisfy debts in the estate. Section 50 of the Succession Act 1965 allows an executor to sell assets where that is supported by the majority of beneficiaries within the will by value.

When does an executor have to distribute an inheritance?

There is no set time limit. And importantly, the executor can distribute the assets only after the property is evaluated and debts and taxes are paid. So beneficiaries often do not get their inheritances until everything else is wrapped up.

What can an executor do to reduce the inheritance?

This would reduce the inheritance paid to the executor and beneficiary according to his or her share of the parents’ home. When no beneficiaries want to reside in the inherited piece of real estate, the executor must list the property for sale at fair market value .