I really ought to write a will.
I am single and childless. My only sibling lives in America. I would like him to be the main beneficiary, with some friends getting smaller amounts.
I have a mortgaged house (about £260k equity) and various savings accounts and a S&S ISA (about £10k total). My work pays death in service benefits. Other than my mortgage I don't have any debt. I expect my equity and savings to slightly increase over the years.
My parents are in their 70s and I don't want to burden them with being my executors in the event of my untimely demise. Also the expectation would be they die before I do. I have a few questions:
Expecting a friend to be my executor seems a bit much as there's so much work involved. Would my best option be to get a professional executor? If so, how should I find one? What would I look out for when hiring one?
Are there any legal issues with leaving my brother my home? I expect he would want to sell it and keep the proceeds. Could I expect the executor to do this on his behalf?
Ideally I would want my friends and parents (if they're still alive) to keep what they want of my belongings. How can this be arranged in my will/ with the executor?
If there's any other advice or personal experience you have to share re professional executors please do!
Thank you.