Probate

When somebody dies, leaving a will, the process of “proving” that will in Court involves applying for a Grant of Probate. This is the Court order authorising the Executors named in the will to carry out, wind up the estate and distribute the assets in accordance with the wishes of the Testator. If there was no will, the same authority is called a Grant of Letters of Administration.

It is often the case that people going through a time of bereavement are not well placed to fulfil these duties. We can do them for you (or them). The process can be surprisingly involved, as it needs all the assets to be identified and valued, and they may include a property, bank and building society accounts, shares, PEPs, TESSAs and ISAs, premium bonds, insurance policies, as well as a car and personal valuables.

Inheritance Tax has to be settled and the Grant obtained. The assets are then usually sold or transferred to the beneficiaries, debts paid, beneficiaries tracked down, income tax paid and the estate distributed in accordance with the will.

Once we have a clear idea as to the full extent of the estate, and the likely work entailed, we can usually quote you a fixed fee, so that you know exactly where you stand, and any delay or extra time spent is of no benefit to us, or expense to you.