I am a widow with no children. I have made a will making my great nephew and his wife my executors. My money is divided between several members of my family. After my property – a small flat worth about £100,000 – has been sold, is there any formal action to take before the instructions in my will are carried out?
Your great nephew and his wife in their roles as executors will have to apply for probate, which will give them authority to sell your flat and wind up your affairs generally. They will also be responsible for paying any inheritance tax due, although if your assets are under a certain amount this won’t apply. Once your assets have been liquidated they will be in a position to distribute your money according to your will.