Probate

Our probate specialist solicitor will assist and manage the administration and winding up of your estate with great sensitivity and understanding, and help your family and friends through what can be a very confusing and upsetting time.

By specialising in probate and the administration of the estate we focus on ensuring probate is obtained in an efficient and timely manner and is as cost effective as possible.

Most of us will have considered making a Will, yet only 30% of the population have done so.

Probate or Intestacy?

When a loved one dies there are a number of important tasks that need to be completed.

  • If there is a valid Will, then the named Executors take on responsibility to administer the estate.
  • In the absence of a valid Will, the person is said to have died “Intestate” and the Intestacy Rules determine who can be appointed as the administrators of the estate.

We make the complex easy

The role of Executor or Administrator can be both time-consuming and onerous. The deceased’s estate may involve valuable or complex matters and an Executor or Administrator is personally liable for administering the estate correctly.

Finding help

The Executor(s) or Administrator(s) can instruct a Solicitor of their choice to assist them with the Estate Administration and the legal fees are settled by the deceased’s Estate.

Tax liabilities

We can advise in relation to tax liabilities on the estate of the deceased and how to minimise this where possible. This may involve Deeds of Variation or Family Arrangement.

Contested Probate

On occasions there may be disputes between beneficiaries, executors or those who want to make a claim against an estate. This is referred to as a contested probate. Should this occur, we are able to advise you fully on these disputes.

Estate Administration

Estate Administration involves:

  • Ascertaining the assets and liabilities and preparing the necessary tax forms
  • Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, enabling the Executor (otherwise known as an Administrator where there is no Will) to obtain the assets
  • Settling the liabilities of the estate, including all tax liabilities
  • Distributing the estate in accordance with the terms of the Will. If there is no Will then the estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules

Our Fees

Transparent fees

We believe it important to be transparent with our fees and therefore ensure our clients are provided with fee estimates for each stage they would like our assistance with. Unexpected matters can often arise with estates so if it becomes necessary to revise a fee estimate we take our client’s instructions at each stage.

Fair pricing

Our fees are therefore based on the solicitor’s hourly rate and the estate will only be charged for actual work undertaken. We do not charge a percentage of the value of the estate, believing that we should only charge for the work undertaken regardless of how much someone is worth.

Let's talk

We have specialist Wills and Probate Solicitors to ensure you are guided through the process with confidence and ease. Please give us a call on 01276 788 087 now, or drop us your details below and we'll give you a call back at a time that suits you.

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