Executor and probate - how to pay immediate bills

[moggie 939]

If I am executor and the person dies, I understand that their bank account is frozen immediately. Whilst I wait for probate how do I go about apying immediate bills from estate such as utilities, funeral,solicitors etc. as bank will not release any monies and I cannot afford to pay myself.
If there is also a house to be sold, does this have to wait probate before putting on market?
If I use the persons family solicitor will they deal with all immediate costs mentioned above?
Thanks a lot

[kinell]

you can get administration granted quite quickly through the probate office

utilities are quite used to this delay situation so just tell them it is in hand...it is not your debt responsibility personally but the deceased estates

undertakers and solicitors are also used to this and will wait a while

[buildersmate]

If you are the executor and the estate of the deceased is straightforwrd, there is no reason to have to use a solicitor - and certainty not solely for the reason of solving the 'immediate costs' issue - for which the above is good advice.
The house of the deceased cannot be sold before probate is granted, but marketing can commerce.
But as kinell pointed out, probate does not take too long to apply for / grant if the executor gets organised and prepares the forms.

[dzug2]

Banks will usually pay the funeral bill if there is enough cash in the accounts.

Anyone else has to wait.

[moggie 939]

Thanks for this everyone.

[bundleone]

any debt that a deceased person has such as credit car will not incur any further interest from the date of death and they will usually wait for payment

[DaisyNonna]

You have my total sympathy. In my experience family solicitor did not deal with immediate costs. 2 years on... House sold last July. Everything still in abeyance.