Sir, As legacy manager of a charity that relies heavily on its income from gifts in wills, I was dismayed to read Mr D. J. Ware’s comments on the difficulties he encountered with his mother-in-law’s legacy (letter, September 10).
The most valuable legacies we receive are often a share in residue. However, depending on the number of charities sharing and the size of the estate, a generous lump sum can sometimes work out to be of greater value. A specific item, such as valuable jewellery, a property or shares, can also be of greater value than a share in residue.
Charities frequently get together to discuss the administration of an estate; there is nothing sinister in this. In fact, most solicitors welcome such collaboration as a means to contain costs, and to find the best way forward in complicated circumstances.
On the other hand, I can understand how a lay executor might feel under siege from the big guns. Perhaps a face-to-face meeting with the executor and some of the charities might bring about more understanding and a common approach to the administration of the estate.
Yours faithfully,
LYNNE NESBIT,
(Legacy Manager),
Brooke Hospital for Animals,
Broadmead House,
21 Panton Street, SW1Y 4DR.
September 16.
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From Mr M. S. Short
Sir, Mr Ware’s mother-in-law, unlike my parents, appears not to have given her executors absolute discretion in the sale of her property. This should have avoided any problem.
Yours faithfully,
MIKE SHORT,
76 Palace View,
Bromley, Kent BR1 3EL.
September 16.