The last of these may be paid on spec, with time and sympathy, initially (8)
I believe the answer is:
respects
'the last of these may be paid' is the definition.
(as in paying last respects)
'on spec with time and sympathy initially' is the wordplay.
'on' becomes 're' ('on' can be mean 'with reference to').
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'sympathy initially' becomes 's' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
're'+'spec'+'t'+'s'='RESPECTS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for respects that I've seen before include "High or special regards" , "Pay these polite greetings" , "Esteems" , "Treats with esteem" , "Has high opinion of" .)