Your authority still applies
Living abroad does not remove your authority as executor. The will, or the grant, is what matters. Your address does not.
What changes is the practical side: keys, access, and decisions.
Getting us into the property
We need one person in London who can let us in. That is usually:
- The solicitor handling the estate
- The estate agent marketing the property
- A neighbour, friend, or family member
- A key safe, if you prefer
We can collect keys from a solicitor's office and return them the same day.
How the survey works remotely
You do not need to attend. We visit, then send you:
- Photos of every room
- Short video walkthroughs where helpful
- A note of anything that looks valuable or sensitive
- A written quote based on volume, access, and disposal costs
You then confirm by email what to keep, what to sell, and what to clear.
Time zones and communication
Simple habits keep this easy:
- Tell us your time zone and preferred hours.
- Use email for decisions, so there is a written record.
- Ask for a call at a fixed time rather than an open line.
- Nominate one contact if several family members are involved.
Paying from overseas
Payment is normally made:
- By bank transfer from the executor's account, or
- Directly by the solicitor from estate funds
We invoice the estate or the solicitor, whichever you prefer. The invoice is written so it fits straight into the estate accounts.
Items you want to keep
Sending goods abroad is expensive. Most overseas executors choose one of these:
- Ship a small box of photos, letters, and jewellery.
- Store items in London until a family visit.
- Sell through an auction house and return the proceeds to the estate.
- Donate functional furniture to a local charity.
We can set items aside for any of these routes.
What you receive at the end
- Photos of the empty property
- Waste transfer notes for the material removed
- A list of items set aside or handed to the solicitor
- An itemised invoice
That gives you a clear record without needing to fly in.
Talk to us
We survey the property, then send a written quote. No fixed price is given before we see the contents.
Call 0794 455 7700 or email info@houseandofficeclearance.co.uk.