Estate Accounting & Administration Support

What this service delivers

Accounts you can present with confidence

At the end of an estate administration, the executor is responsible for producing accounts that account for everything — every asset collected, every liability settled, every distribution made. These accounts may be reviewed by solicitors, beneficiaries, and in some cases the courts. They need to be complete, accurate, and clearly presented.

That is precisely what we prepare. You will have records that stand up, explanations of what the figures mean, and the reassurance of knowing that the financial side of the administration has been handled properly.

What you can expect

Complete estate accounts ready for solicitors and beneficiaries
Clear records of all receipts, payments, and distributions
Plain-language explanation of each section of the accounts
Steady progress without pressure on your time or energy
Support available throughout — questions welcomed, not charged

What executors often carry

A responsibility that arrived at the wrong moment

Many people who become executors have little prior experience with estate administration. They are asked to manage a complex financial process — gathering assets, settling debts, reporting to tax authorities, and eventually distributing what remains — while also dealing with the grief and family dynamics that come with bereavement.

The accounting side is often the part that causes most anxiety. Banks and institutions ask for formal documentation. Beneficiaries have questions about the figures. Solicitors need to see records before probate can progress. And through all of this, you may not be entirely sure what a proper set of estate accounts looks like, or whether what you have prepared will withstand scrutiny.

That uncertainty is entirely understandable. It is not a reflection on your capability — estate accounting has its own conventions and requirements that simply are not widely known outside of professional practice. Having someone experienced take this on removes the anxiety and frees you to attend to the many other things that estate administration involves.

Our approach

Careful, methodical work — explained as we go

We begin by understanding the estate: its composition, the documents available, any complicating factors, and what stage the administration has reached. From there we work systematically — reconciling bank statements, recording asset valuations, tracking liabilities and their settlement, and building the accounts in the format appropriate to the estate's size and complexity.

Where something is unclear, we come to you with a specific question rather than an assumption. We keep the communication focused and manageable — we are aware that the last thing you need is another lengthy document to work through.

The finished accounts are presented with a narrative explanation of each section, so you understand what has been prepared and why. If beneficiaries or solicitors have questions, we are available to help you respond to them.

Starting where you are

Whether administration is just beginning or has been underway for some time, we work with the records that exist and build from there.

Appropriate to the estate

Smaller estates need simpler accounts; larger or more complex ones require greater detail. We match the work to what is actually needed.

Ready for review

Accounts are prepared with the understanding that they may be scrutinised — by solicitors, beneficiaries, or the Probate Registry. They are formatted and documented accordingly.

Patient explanations throughout

No assumption of prior knowledge. Each term and figure is explained in language that makes sense, not accounting language that requires decoding.

Working together

What the engagement looks like from your side

There is no complicated intake process. We begin with a conversation and move at a pace that suits you.

01

Initial conversation

We talk through the estate — its size, the records available, how far administration has progressed, and what the accounts need to cover. No charge for this.

02

Written scope and cost

We confirm what we will prepare, the expected timeline, and the fee — in writing, before any work begins. You decide whether to proceed.

03

Careful preparation

We work through the records quietly and methodically. You hear from us when we have something specific to ask, not with constant updates that add to the workload.

04

Delivery and follow-up

Completed accounts are delivered with a clear covering explanation. We remain available for questions once you and your solicitor have reviewed them.

Investment

Transparent from the start

Estate accounting fees depend on the complexity and size of the estate, the volume and condition of the records available, and the scope of what needs to be prepared. For this reason, we quote each engagement individually rather than offering a fixed price that may not reflect the actual work involved.

The typical range for estate accounting and administration support is USD 1,200 to USD 6,000. Most straightforward estates with organised records fall toward the lower end. More complex estates with multiple assets, disputed figures, or incomplete documentation require more work and are priced accordingly.

Once we have had an initial conversation, we provide a written quote. Nothing starts until you have agreed to it in writing, and the fee does not change unless the scope changes — in which case we discuss it with you first.

What is included

Full estate accounts from opening to final distribution
Schedules of assets, liabilities, receipts, and payments
Distribution statement showing each beneficiary's entitlement
Covering explanation in plain language for each section
Post-delivery support for questions from solicitors or beneficiaries
No charges for questions at any point during the engagement

How progress works

A realistic view of the timeline

Estate administration moves at its own pace, and the accounting reflects that. Some elements cannot be finalised until certain actions are complete — property sales need to close, tax positions need to be confirmed, final balances need to settle. We work within that reality rather than against it.

For a straightforward estate with organised records, we would typically expect to deliver a first draft of the accounts within three to five weeks of receiving all necessary documents. More complex estates naturally take longer, and we set realistic expectations from the outset.

We track progress clearly and let you know at each milestone where things stand. The accounts are built incrementally — you can see the shape of the work as it develops rather than receiving everything at the end with no visibility of what happened in between.

Typical milestones

Initial document review

Assessment of records available and identification of any gaps

Asset and liability schedules

All estate property documented and valued as at the date of death

Receipts and payments account

Every transaction during administration recorded and explained

Final accounts and distribution statement

Complete accounts ready for executor approval and beneficiary review

Our commitment

Working with you, not past you

Written scope before we start

You receive a written description of the work and the fee before anything begins. There are no surprises mid-engagement, and no scope creep without your agreement.

Questions at no extra charge

If you want to understand something, ask. We do not charge by the email or clock time spent on your questions. That is part of the engagement.

Revision until it is right

If something in the draft accounts needs adjustment once you have reviewed it, we address it. The final accounts should reflect the estate accurately.

No obligation to proceed

The initial conversation is free of charge and free of obligation. You can hear what is involved and decide whether to move forward entirely on your own terms.

Getting started

The path forward is straightforward

If you think this service might be what you need, the next step is simply a conversation. You can reach us through the form on the main page, and we will respond within one working day.

In that first conversation, we will ask about the estate — its size, what records exist, where the administration stands — and give you a clear sense of what we can do and what it will involve. If we are a good fit, we confirm the scope and cost in writing. If not, we will say so honestly.

There is no pressure to decide quickly. Estate administration has its own timeline, and we work within that.

After you contact us

1

We respond within one working day with a time to speak or a set of initial questions if that is easier

2

We discuss the estate and confirm what accounting support is needed — no charge for this stage

3

You receive a written scope and fee proposal, and take as long as you need to decide

4

Work begins when you are ready, and proceeds at a pace that respects your other responsibilities

When you are ready

A conversation costs nothing

If the estate accounting side is weighing on you, it does not need to. Reach out through the form on our main page and we will take it from there — patiently, clearly, and without obligation.

Get in touch with Acwell

Other services

Explore the other ways we help

If the trust or beneficiary side is more relevant to your situation, these services may be what you need.

Service 02

Trust Accounting & Reporting

Ongoing quarterly accounting for trusts — income, distributions, and the statements trustees and beneficiaries rely on, prepared clearly and on time.

USD 480 per quarter

Learn more

Service 03

Beneficiary Statement Preparation

Clear, respectful statements for beneficiaries that explain entitlements and movements in plain terms, written to reduce uncertainty and confusion.

USD 320 per statement set