In our weekly legal column, the Leader, with the expert advice of the team at GHP Legal, sets out to answer some of your problems. Today's question is answered by partner Ulia Choudhry...

What happens if an Executor makes a mistake in the administration of a Will?

Q: A friend has asked me to be an executor of her Will. I don't want to upset her by refusing, but as I have no idea what is involved in the administration of an estate, I am concerned about making a mistake and what my liabilities might be if I got something wrong.

A: As the executor of a Will, you are legally responsible for the deceased person's assets from the date of their death until everything has been passed on to their beneficiaries. Assets include money, property and possessions. Prior to distributing the assets in accordance with the Will, you will need to pay any debts left by the deceased and liquidate all saleable assets or have them professionally valued if they are being left to a beneficiary intact. It may be necessary to apply for probate before you can deal with some of the assets.

As part of the administration process, you must pay any income tax due from such as the deceased's rental income, business profits and investment interest. You must also pay Capital Gains Tax on profits made from the sale of shares, investments or property. You must report the estate value, income and tax liability to HMRC. You may also need to pay inheritance tax.

Executors have full responsibility for the administration of an estate, so if you make a mistake or fail to pay something that should have been paid, then you can be held personally liable for any losses suffered by beneficiaries and creditors, including HMRC. If there is more than one executor, whilst it may make the task less onerous to share the responsibility, all executors dealing with the administration of the estate are equally liable.

It is for this reason that executors invariably seek advice from a Probate solicitor. Under the terms of the deceased's Will, executors are usually entitled to pay for legal assistance out of the estate.

• This question has been answered by Ulia Choudhry, a partner with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website www.ghplegal.com and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194.