Under the Administration of Estate Act 1925, which provision empowers personal representatives to appropriate any part of the estate provided there is no prejudice to a specific beneficiary?

• A. s39 confers powers, duties and discretions
• B. s42 if a minor is a beneficiary, PRs can appoint additional trustees
• C. s27 statutory advertisements
• D. s41 may appropriate any part provided there is no prejudice to a specific beneficiary

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that personal representatives can allocate or set aside part of the estate to pay debts, funeral expenses, and legacies without having to liquidate everything, as long as doing so does not prejudice any beneficiary. The specific clause in the Administration of Estates Act 1925 authorizes this exact power: a personal representative may appropriate any part of the estate for those payments, provided there is no prejudice to any beneficiary. This ensures debts and legacies can be discharged in a practical way while protecting heirs’ interests. The other provisions cover broader powers, trustees for minors, and advertising, but they do not grant this explicit appropriation power.