Executors are personally liable for correctly administering an estate. This means they can be sued if they make mistakes such as not looking after assets properly, or managing  investments unwisely, or misinterpreting the Will, overpaying one beneficiary at the expense of others, or distributing money to beneficiaries without ensuring that anyone owed money has been paid in full.  Executors can often find themselves being put under pressure to distribute money early, which is potentially disastrous if there are debts that the executor doesn’t at that stage know about or if a claim is subsequently made by someone disputing the Will. For these reasons, you are always safer, as an executor, instructing a specialist probate solicitor who will ensure that you are protected against being sued personally for negligence.