Did anyone else feel completely lost as an executor?

I was executor for both my parents . Thankfully they had left everything fairly straightforward. I did use my parents solicitor to do the probate process for me I felt it was money well spent. . Thankfully it was straightforward. . Things like utilities I contacted the companies bereavement teams to help . Allow yourself to grieve as well. Sending sympathies to you

These days when you register a death the registrar will ask you if you want to use tell us once . They notifiy all the relevant government agencies for you . One thing I have found useful is I have a book in which I have listed my final wishes. Filled it with all my relevant information such as bank details, , funeral arrangements, who is going to be the legacy contact for social media etc . Letters to loved ones bequests etc . Not that I’m planning on going anywhere anytime soon

I think it depends on the complexity of the estate. I was sole executor of my Dad's will and I did probate myself. There was only one property but several bank accounts, bonds and pensions.

Sadly my Uncle died shortly before my Dad so my cousin and I kind of stumbled through everything together - she was slightly ahead of me so I had an advantage.

I too shouted in a Bank, nearly gave up the will to live with National Savings and Investments and shuddered at the massively long forms sent by pension companies.

Nevertheless, my Dad died on November 10th, probate was granted on December 23rd and it cost me about £450. (This was 10 years ago).

I was lucky it wasn't over complicated, and it was something of a small distraction from the overwhelming grief. I figured I'd probably get just as frustrated with a solicitor who would be charging me thousands so I just kept plodding on with it all.

I was sole executor for both my parents estate. Dealt with all the paperwork and probate myself. They were well below the inheritance tax threshold so straightforward compared to others. Didn’t need a solicitor.

Mauduit24

These days when you register a death the registrar will ask you if you want to use tell us once . They notifiy all the relevant government agencies for you . One thing I have found useful is I have a book in which I have listed my final wishes. Filled it with all my relevant information such as bank details, , funeral arrangements, who is going to be the legacy contact for social media etc . Letters to loved ones bequests etc . Not that I’m planning on going anywhere anytime soon

If it works, did all but two for us. My mum had to chase up a couple of things.

It’s a huge task, weighted with responsibility and emotion. Take your time and work out a methodology and try to use a spread sheet.

It didn’t help having two sisters who kept phoning the solicitor and increasing the bill 🤬🤬 as they didn’t believe I could be taking so long to deal with a property in the UK and a property in Spain

I'm a lone executor right now, and don't feel lost, but I do feel very lonely and sometimes frightened of the responsibility - having to cope with it all on my own. It's been over a year now. House not selling and still lots of problems. I feel very stressed and exhausted. I have many sleepless nights due to everything I'm having to deal with, and without any help - except from solicitors, whose bills are mounting up.
I'm not even a beneficiary. It's a nightmare. I never want to do this again.

Sorry for your loss.
I wasn’t my Mums’ executor. However as I was a retired Bank Manager it fell on me to do everything with the estate. I even did the Confirmation document required by the court to sort out all her estate.My brother was the executor and he signed anything requiring his signature. It was not difficult for me with my banking and estate law knowledge. This was in Scotland. There was a lot of work involved and it took a lot of time to do. I would suggest doing one thing at a time and keeping a record of everything as it is done.

Smith's (or whatever it's called now) stock a useful guide with step by step instructions

I've appointed two of my children as executors and made a folder "In the Event of my Death". Which includes hints and tips to help them! I shall include those given here!

Not directly answering the original question, but I would like to make the point that it is highly desirable to appoint family members as executors. Even if the executors hand over all the work to a (well reviewed) solicitor, it is a huge advantage for there to be a live client overseeing matters. Where banks or solicitors are the actual executors, they have no client to exercise control, and their fees and level of performance are liable to be less than ideal.

I’m sole executor for my dad who died last October. I’m not finding the process difficult but the time wasting and lack of communication is awful.
I had all the valuations, including property, at my accountant’s by the beginning of January.
It then took seven months to agree and pay the tax (one institution dragged their heels for weeks).
Probate was finally applied for six weeks ago and then last week someone queried the valuation of a property so I’ve had a day of producing more paperwork.. including photographs.
To rub salt into the wound I have to pay the second half of his on account self assessment by the end of July so that my accountant can do the return and get a refund 😄