My father recently passed away and my mother has requested that I deal with the estate (I'm a named Executrix). All looked as though it would be pretty straight forward until we started getting all the finances through.

It seems that my father's estate owes more money than it is due (no investments / shares etc.) all he does have is half the house that my mother lives in. This is not held in Joint tenancy therefore does not pass directly to her (they signed a legal document to declare this) and my fathers half of the house is due to be put into a life time trust for my mother held by myself and my brother.

What we are worried about is if we are going to be forced to sell his half of the family home to pay his debts. We also wanted to know if we are going to be held liable for any debts due from the estate.

Thanks very much for any advice you can give!!