Probate

The loss of a loved one is never easy and can leave you feeling overwhelmed without having to step into the role of being an executor. Our specialist Probate lawyers are highly experienced and are on hand to support you through the process.

How will it be paid?

When someone dies, there are many questions to be answered and arrangements that need to be made at a very difficult time. The deceased may or may not have made a Will and there will be decisions to be made about the deceased’s funeral and what happens to any property and savings. It can often come as a surprise as to just how much needs to be done when someone dies. There is the matter of trying to identify what is in the estate, and there may be worries over whether Inheritance Tax is going to be payable, and if so, how much, and how will it be paid?
Probate can be straightforward for some families; however, it can be complex and involve disputes for others, so our experienced Probate solicitors are on hand to advise you during this difficult time.

What Is Probate?

A Grant of Probate is a legal document that names the executors (or personal representatives) dealing with the deceased’s estate administration. Dependent upon the circumstances the document can be known as a Grant of Administration.

The Probate Registry issues a Grant of Probate following an application by the personal representatives.The Grant is to confirm that the executor has the authority to deal with the administration of property, money, and possessions to collect and distribute the assets, including certain assets such as shareholdings and bank accounts.

According to the Will or Intestacy Rules, it is usually also required to sell or transfer the deceased’s property.

How Long Does Probate Take?

The probate process has four key stages:

Assessing the assets
Application to the probate court
Collecting in the various assets
Paying liabilities and distributing the estate

The specific timescales can vary widely depending on the complexity and nature of the deceased person’s assets. For straightforward matters, probate can usually be acquired in a matter of 3-6 weeks.
In large and complex estates with multiple properties, this will take much longer as assessing business interests and selling properties can take time
It is always best to speak with a specialist solicitor who can advise you on your specific circumstances.

What We Can Do

We can alleviate some of the worry and pressure of administering the estate by providing the following expertise and services:

Checking the validity of the Will or applying the Rules of Intestacy if there is no Will
Completing the Probate application form
Preparing the Statement of Truth required to be signed by the Executors and Administrators
Completing the Inheritance Tax forms (whether tax is due or not)
Calculate any Inheritance Tax liability
Grant of Probate application (only) service

Therefore, we can handle the application on your behalf, saving you time and effort whilst providing you with peace of mind from knowing that everything has been done correctly.

When a loved one passes away, dealing with their estate can be a difficult and overwhelming task. Our experienced probate solicitors can guide you through the process and provide you with the support you need during this challenging time. Our team, which holds collective experience of over 15 years is on hand to assist.

Our fees for probate matters are based on an hourly rate, which is currently between £180 +VAT to £220 +VAT depending on the case handler. However, the final fee will also depend on the complexity of the estate and the work required. We will provide you with a detailed estimate of costs before starting any work. All legal costs are subject to VAT at the usual rate and the costs cover the legal work undertaken as agreed in our client care agreement beforehand.

In addition to our professional charges, there are also disbursements that may be incurred during the probate process. These disbursements are expenses that we pay on your behalf to third parties such as the Probate Registry or HMRC.

Some common disbursements include:

Probate application fee - £155.00 approx. if the estate is valued over £5,000.00
Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches:
Advertisement in The London Gazette £90.00 approx.
Valuation fees for assets such as property or shares

We will provide you with an accurate estimate of any disbursements that may be required during the probate process.

At our firm, we believe in transparency when it comes to our fees. We will keep you informed throughout the process and will always be available to answer any questions you may have.

Please note that every probate case is unique, and the costs can vary depending on the specific circumstances. For a bespoke estimate on your probate matter, please do not hesitate to contact us using the enquiry form on our website or call us directly at 01234 350 244.

Why Choose Us?

Our solicitors are experts in probate and the administration of estates.
We have helped many individuals across the country through the sensitive and complex process of applying for Probate and distributing assets.