27th Aug Helen writes to me
Hello,
The solicitors require you to also contact them as well as myself, to agree that they can act on our behalf for the Will.
Helen Barber is the lady to contact, her email address is hb@purelyprobate.co.uk
This is Pardoes Solicitors, Yeovil office.
Helen
WED 23rd September 11.00am
Chris Goodland
Helen Goodland
I did not reply at once … for obvious reasons that will become clear when I do reply a couple of weeks later.
Hi H,
Mon 14th Sept I request financial details
You wrote; “The solicitors require you to also contact them as well as myself, to agree that they can act on our behalf for the Will.”
No. That is a manipulative sentence and also disregards any say I may have about the subject.
I am not required to contact Pardoes or anyone else at this time regarding such a matter and for you to claim such a thing is disrespectful and entirely brushes aside my equal right as joint executor
As of yet, as joint executor, I have not agreed to any such thing.
–
Sure, we can consider employing Pardoes but before either of us agrees to appoint solicitors to act on behalf of both joint executors, I obviously require full transparency regarding the estate and finances.
As joint executors, we should first establish exactly what assets, liabilities, accounts and financial arrangements exist, and then jointly decide how to proceed.
You will have to furnish me with such information and financial details before that can happen.
Chris
As the email states, I’ve just written an email to Helen requesting all financial details.
And then …
I get an email from Pardoes solicitors
From: Helen Barber <hb@purelyprobate.co.uk>
Sent: 14 September 2026 12:12
To: Chris Goodland <chrisgoodland@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: The Estate of Barbara Joan Goodland
“We have been contacted by the other executor”
Dear Chris
Further to our email below, I do hope that the attachment came through and you have had an opportunity to digest it.
We have been contacted by the other executor of the estate with a view to instructing us, however we can only take instruction from both of you as joint executors. Please could you contact us to advise whether this is something you would like to proceed with.
Many thanks
Yours sincerely
Helen
Agree.
I was just trying to share my thought processes with you but yes, having done so, lets just press the button!
I’ll walk over there in less than 5 minutes and authorise Paul to start on both our behalf. (Or do so by speaking to receptionist, Jackie)
One last (and only) thought before I do.
Aside from mundane, routine or sentimental things, (like the sideboard or the photographs which I’ve already mentioned!), there is one single aspect that has crossed my mind.
D&B bought shares in the Thatcher era that he jokingly referred to as part of ‘The Inheritance’ , (BT, Gas and other shares, etc), and while it might be a moot point to target £390 ph Paul at chasing registrars and shares institutions randomly, (especially if the shares were worth less than his cumulative time would be in locating the records for them), there is a real possibility that ‘non transferable’ shares or investments could be sitting in a slim non descript envelope in the safe or amongst a pile of paperwork.
Or D & B could have cashed them in years ago.
I’m not saying turn the place upside down but, you know, it would be crazy if there were such things amongst piles of paperwork. (Or it would be a bummer if they were found but worth so much that they triggered a 40% inheritance tax that screwed the other figures). 🙂
I don’t know, H. But even as a long shot, there could be one envelope in a pile of Filcombe paperwork that might surprise us.
Any thoughts on that? Were you aware they ever had shares?
If you weren’t, I guess it could be fun looking through a few drawers because they’ll be worthless outside of this process!!
OK. I’m off to press the button! 🙂
And all I need to say and make clear is … Please ensure Helen and I are consulted parallel, jointly, exactly the same time when things need addressing.
Thanks, H.
Chris
Helen’s reply (8.5 hrs later)
Hi Chris
Yes, it feels good to know that we are moving forwards with the professional help that is needed.
I am currently drafting an email to give you a timeline of events that happened since Dad passed away, I hope that this will answer any questions that may arise in the future.
I will do my utmost to have it ready to send to you by Friday at latest, I am just trying to add all the details that will answer the questions you may ask.
Helen
FRI 18th Sept I write twice to H. Barber Pardoes
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