Information for beneficiaries

There's so much to think about when you lose a loved one. It can be a stressful time, but we're here to help make sure their final wishes are carried out efficiently and sympathetically.

Public Trust as executor

As executor and trustee, we're responsible for making sure the wishes of your loved one are carried out, as set out in their Will - the process of estate administration.

Our team of estate specialists, lawyers and accountants are here to help take care of everything. Your estate specialist will listen to your views and those of other beneficiaries, and consult with you on important decisions.

How does it work?

The stages in the estate administration process are:

• Meet with beneficiaries - we agree a plan and timetable with you, and confirm it as part of a Plan of Administration
• Confirm assets - we identify what is included in your loved one's estate
• Get court approval - we apply to the High Court for approval to deal with the assets
• Deal with assets - we take care of paperwork, close bank accounts, settle debts, expenses and taxes
• Distribute the estate - we distribute the estate to beneficiaries
• Accounting for everything - we send you a final statement detailing what's been done.

What does it cost?

Our fees are based on the work we do, not on the value of the estate. It costs less to administer a simple estate than a complex one. For more details on charges see Fees & charges - Estate Administration (PDF 107.2KB)

Contact us

Talk to your estate specialist or call us on 0800 371 471.