Paphos People

Direct debits?

You also need to check whose names the bills are in as, if they are in your name and you expire, the name on the bill will have to be changed.

We have a house in Tala
Water and council tax are paid by DD - go to the council offices and set it up. Maybe check that it's in joint names (?)
The only thing not on DD is the additional tax. Can't remember, is it something to do with IPT?? We pay this by card annually but if you miss a year, they don't seem to mind. IIRC it's under €20

Electricity we also pay by DD - looks like you will need to go to their offices to set up DD

Telephone/internet - can't help, sorry. We don't have a landline and use Netcom wireless for internet and pay them by card as and when required.

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J B

The above advice is all excellent. However, it would do you both good to go to the Citizens Service Centre and ask the kind helpful people there how to go about arranging all the things that you need to be sorted out. We pay all bills by direct debit. Our bank account is in joint name and states "Either OR to sign/USE". We even took out a funeral plan with Angel Guardians. So we are all sorted. Have to plan ahead. Good luck.

Most importantly make sure you have a current and valid will. Make sure the bank accounts are named as and/or and not just and. Make sure assets like cars etc are not in the name of the person most likely to perish. Make sure there is a good solicitor with appropriate permission or other person you can trust to be an administrator.

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Straight talking, no Gimmicks.

Live your dreams.

Citizen's Service Centres are there to help with government issues like Gesy, Car ownership, Medical cards etc. They don't deal with issues like payment of utilities as they are not government business. I agree that the staff are very helpful but they are also very busy and it is appointment only there at the moment (or it was a couple of days ago) so you may find them unable to help on other matters.

For direct debits, speak to the council, EAC, Cyta and/or your bank. These things are their responsibility and they should help you.

Mate's dad had lawyer as executor to his will - when he died, the lawyer charged them €10K for the privilege!

You need to talk to Carol Watkin/Georgiou - she will do you a 'correct' will for not much money.

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J B

8 or 9 years ago our neighbour's husband died. The widow went to their lawyer to have the house transferred to her name and he charged her €24,000. When she complained he just laughed and told her to try suing him. We found out afterwards that it should have cost no more that a few hundred!

One thing I will never do here is recommend a lawyer, for obvious reasons.

The advice has been on forums for as long as I can remember - NEVER HAVE A LAWYER (OR HIS WIFE) AS AN EXECUTOR!

I am not necessarily sticking up for them or not, however as well as some of the absolute scoundrels highlighted there is also some very good ones. You should also make sure if appointing anybody to ensure the amount they can charge is set in stone. by percentage of a fixed amount.

I have seen probates going beyond 13 years and still not completed ensuring only the lawyer wins. I have also seen some done ver efficiently.

_________________
Straight talking, no Gimmicks.

Live your dreams.

Mmmmm,so lets say the house is in BOTH names as is the bank account is this any problem when one kicks the bucket?

The joint bank account - No. The house in joint names has to go to Probate covering the half owned by the deceased partner. With the bank account it is probably best, following one deceased partner, to get perhaps a son or daughter to become a new joint holder. As regards the house, which will end up in the surviving partner's sole name, what a lot of people do is to 'gift' the house to child or children to avoid probate when the second partner dies.

Thanks twister

The bank account you should ensure is in an 'and/or' named on the account otherwise it is possible you won't be able to access it.

_________________
Straight talking, no Gimmicks.

Live your dreams.