How The Case Unfolded
This case unfolded with Robert’s call to Precepts looking for help. In the call, Robert* informed us that he had been appointed as the sole executor and trustee of his late mother’s Will. According to Robert, his mother did not appoint any other executor, since Robert was the sole beneficiary. However, he wanted to renounce his right to apply for the Grant of Probate. He wanted Precepts to take over his role in administering his late mother’s estate as he was facing a lot of stress and anxiety in the estate administration.
As the Will was not drafted by Precepts, we held a meeting with Robert to better understand the situation. He disclosed that his businesswoman mother had encountered some financial difficulties just before her passing. As a result, his mother had left huge liabilities behind. After studying the case, Precepts tabulated that her estate’s liabilities were projected to be greater than the remaining assets of the estate.
The Beginning of Robert’s Nightmares
Ever since the creditors discovered he was the named Executor of the Estate, they started going after Robert to demand for re-payment of his mother’s debts. He received numerous calls from various banks’ collection departments almost every single day. He was also informed by the banks that late payment for his mother’s credit card debts and the legal fees would continue to accrue until full settlement!
He also realized that he would unlikely benefit from the Will as his mother’s estate was insolvent. He had no peace of mind. He was very concerned that the property which was owned in his name (he purchased with his own money together with his wife), could be taken away by the creditors. He was so pressured that he started to believe he had to sell his own house to settle the debts.
The Appropriate Actions Taken By PreceptsGroup
After Precepts was appointed to act as the administrator, the creditors started to deal with Precepts, and not Robert. The phone calls to Robert ended over time. It had been a long process for Precepts to deal with the banks and to meticulously verify each of the creditors’ claims. It was something Robert had not been able to do so. The estate also received claims from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). After Robert’s mother’s house was sold, the net sale proceeds were used to first settle the IRAS claim before the balance debts and liabilities were paid proportionally to the respective claims admitted by Precepts.
Robert was also relieved to find out that he could claim the money which he had advanced for his mother’s funeral expenses (with supporting documents), as this claim had priority before the rest of the creditors.
After Robert relinquished his right and appointed Precepts as the administrator of his mother’s estate, he and his wife were able to resume their lives normally again.
*Name and facts have been modified for privacy purposes.
This article is first published on our newsletter, The Custodian Issue 11 on April, 2019. Click here to subscribe to our latest newsletter.
