Time a PR has to settle estates

Trusts Discussion
1

Dear All

Our client’s mother passed away and left estate here in the UK and Dominica.

Our client settled the UK estate and due to the pandemic cannot travel to Dominica to settle the estate there. Our client has been classed as a ‘vulnerable person’ and will travel once the situation calms down surrounding the pandemic as she also has a child.

My question: is there any time limit when it comes to distributing the estate.

2

There’s the “executor’s year” but (to the best of my knowledge) this is more of a guideline and provided the executor is not dilatory it makes little difference. Many estates take a lot longer than a year, particularly with foreign assets. It does mean that any pecuniary legatees receive interest but this may be irrelevant.

Andrew Goodman
Osborne Clarke LLP