From: roger@hayter.org 
  
 On 24 Aug 2025 at 23:03:21 BST, "Nick Odell"  wrote: 
  
 > On Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:09:01 +0100, Mike Scott 
 >  wrote: 
 > 
 >> Hi all. A couple of friends are buying a house, but there's a bit of a 
 >> hiccup. 
 >> 
 >> The seller is suffering from severe dementia, is elderly, and may 
 >> possibly die soon. Her affairs are being managed by relatives with power 
 >> of attorney. 
 >> 
 >> My friends' solicitors are dealing with the sellers' relatives' 
 solicitors. 
 >> 
 >> The question has arisen of what happens if, after contracts are 
 >> exchanged but before completion, the seller dies. AIUI the contract is 
 >> valid, and the sale goes through as if nothing had happened and the 
 >> moneys form part of the deceased's estate. But it's been suggested the 
 >> contract would be voided (with obvious major knock-on problems). 
 >> 
 >> Any thoughts please? 
 > 
 > Is the money all in place? Are there any complications likely to 
 > arise? I know there is a conventional, leisurely pace at which these 
 > transactions take place but in the past I have asked for and received 
 > a speeded up process in order to take possession by a particular date 
 > and maybe this is a case where, if matters are straightforward, things 
 > could be moved along a bit sharpish. 
 > 
 > I have even heard of exchange of contracts and completion both 
 > happening on the same day but that would need all parties to be on the 
 > same page over everything. 
 > 
 > Nick 
  
 I've done it within 8 days, but we did require the vendor to do a couple of 
 rather complicated things before completion, too. 
  
 -- 
  
 Roger Hayter 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)