Kings Court Trust Blog

Nigel Merchant

Nigel Merchant is a Technical Manager at Kings Court Trust, where he has worked for over 15 years. Nigel has conducted over 2,000 family meetings and built up a huge amount of technical knowledge to share with partners and clients. Nigel has a calm and empathetic delivery which helps to achieve the business’ purpose of helping families to move on. Previously, Nigel worked at HSBC bank for over 25 years in the branch network, lastly as a Branch Manager and Personal Banking Manager, highlighting that customer service is a key driver for Nigel.

What is a Deed of Appointment in probate?

on 22-Jun-2023 10:21:58 By | Nigel Merchant |

During the probate and estate administration processes, you may come across unfamiliar jargon; this could include Trusts, Trustees, and Deeds of Appointment. This blog will provide an overview of what a Deed of Appointment is and how it relates to Trusts and probate.

Flags of countries in the European Union on a globe

Cross-border estates: Estate planning for European assets

on 25-May-2023 08:58:20 By | Nigel Merchant |

Many people acquire assets across popular European destinations, such as holiday homes and bank accounts. It’s crucial to ensure that these assets are accounted for during the estate planning process. However, there is often a great deal of confusion around how to incorporate these assets into an estate plan to protect loved ones in the event of death.

What is a Grant of Letters of Administration?

on 11-May-2023 16:02:50 By | Nigel Merchant |

Dealing with the estate of a loved one after they have passed away can be a complex and emotional process. One important step in the estate administration process can be obtaining a Grant of Letters of Administration (also known as simply Letters of Administration).

What are estate accounts?

on 13-Apr-2023 10:38:58 By | Nigel Merchant |

Estate accounts are one of the final stages in the estate administration process. These accounts are a detailed record of all the financial transactions that have occurred during the administration of an estate.

What does an Administrator of an estate do?

on 22-Mar-2023 12:19:00 By | Nigel Merchant |

According to research from October 2021, over 10% of over 75s in the UK have not made a Will. When someone dies without leaving a Will, known as dying intestate, it hands one of their relatives a role they may not have been expecting, as an Administrator must be appointed. In this blog, we aim to clarify what an Administrator of an estate does, and we also look at the help available if you find yourself in this position.

What happens to your loyalty points when you die?

on 20-Mar-2023 15:19:00 By | Nigel Merchant |

As we shop, many of us collect loyalty points from various companies, and throughout a lifetime this can amount to a substantial value. However, many of these points will remain unclaimed.

Can the Executor of an estate sell the property?

on 23-Feb-2023 09:33:47 By | Nigel Merchant |

The Executor of an estate has the authority to sell the property of the deceased, as long as it is specified in the Will or authorised by the court. However, the Executor needs to be sure there are no surviving joint owners or clauses in the Will that prevent selling the property.

What should I do when someone dies?

on 13-Feb-2023 10:58:00 By | Nigel Merchant |

When a loved one passes away, the initial steps can be overwhelming. There are a number of tasks that need to be completed and it is often difficult to work out what should be done first. This can make an already tough time even more stressful. This blog aims to summarise the first steps to be taken following a bereavement.

What happens if a beneficiary cannot be found?

on 11-Jan-2023 09:03:00 By | Nigel Merchant |

When someone passes away, their loved ones and those dealing with their estate are left with a variety of tasks that must be completed before inheritance can be distributed. If the beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate cannot be found, this can cause additional stress and work at a time that is already difficult.

Nigel Merchant

Recent Posts