Understanding the Duties of an Executor
An executor or administrator in England and Wales is financially liable if they have a breach of duty and it results in financial loss, even when it was just an honest mistake. Are there any differences between being an executor, an administrator, or a personal representative? The difference is based on whether or not there was a will. If there is a will then a personal representative is called an executor. If no will exists, then the personal representative is called an administrator.
The person that is responsible for handling a deceased person’s assets is known as a personal representative. The deceased person’s estate includes their investments, property and other items of value. Because the personal representative has been charged with legal authority they also are responsible for correctly administering the estate and they can be held accountable if they make any mistakes.