Probate & Estate Administration
What is Probate?
Probate is a legal process that occurs after someone dies. It involves several key steps:
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Validation of the Will: The court confirms that the deceased person's will is valid
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Inventory of Assets: Identifying and listing the deceased person's property
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Appraisal: Having the property appraised to determine its value
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Payment of Debts and Taxes: Settling any outstanding debts and taxes owed by the estate
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Distribution of Assets: Distributing the remaining property according to the will or, if there is no will, according to state law
In England and Wales, the process begins when the Executor, named in the deceased's will, applies to the Probate Registry of the High Court for a Grant of Probate. This document authorizes the Executor to manage the deceased person's assets, collectively known as their 'estate'. If there is no will, or no willing and able Executors, a similar document called Letters of Administration can be obtained to allow an Administrator to act in a similar capacity.
The application process involves submitting an Inheritance Tax form, the original will, and an official copy of the death certificate to the Probate Registry.
For further information please check our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
We offer two types of services for Probate.
We offer two types of services for Probate.
Grant Of Probate
Application ASSIST
£1500
Fixed fee
Extra costs
Probate registry fee £300 and copies of the grant of probate cost £1.50 each.
This is where clients can administer the estate themselves but would like assistance in applying for the grant of Probate.
As part of this service, we would value all assets and then prepare the grant application, which would then be sent to the Executor(s) for completion. They would then return the application to us so that we could submit it to the Registry. The Grant of Probate would then be issued in the name of the Executor(s), which we would forward to them to allow them to call in the assets and administer the estate themselves.
Full Administration
Complete Probate Service
3% of the gross estate
With a minimum fee of £1500
or
Contact us for a fixed fee quote
Extra costs: Any external disbursements required to administer the estate, such as probate registry fees, estate agents or conveyancer’s fees etc.
With the full administration service, we will deal with everything on behalf of the clients, from valuing the assets, applying for probate, calling in the assets and preparing estate accounts before eventually distributing them to the name beneficiaries. An individual estate manager will be appointed to each case and will be appointed to each case and will handle the administration throughout.
We do not charge on jointly held assets or assets already held in trust, as we do not need to deal with them as part of the estate administration other than including their value in the relevant tax forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
