Probate and Estate Administration Solicitors

Our friendly and approachable team are on hand to assist with the loss of a loved one.

We understand that this can be a very emotional and difficult time and aim to make the process of dealing with the formalities of estate administration as simple and as stress free as possible. We are able to discuss various levels of support based upon what you might feel you can manage yourself or we can undertake the whole process for you.

From ascertaining the assets and liabilities of any deceased person on to obtaining a Grant of Probate if they had a Will or Letters of Administration in the event that they did not, through to collecting in and distributing the estate.

We aim to make our costs transparent and to keep you updated on any fees incurred so that you always know where you are.

For more information or to set up an initial discussion with a member of our Probate and Estate Administration team, give us a call at your local branch in Winchester, Sunningdale or Alresford, or fill in our simple online enquiry form.

How our probate solicitors can help

We can provide sensitive, practical advice about all aspects of probate and estate administration and can handle as much or as little of the process as you need us to. Our service includes:

• Providing initial advice about the probate process, listening to your concerns and requirements and recommending a way forward
• Providing support in locating the Will
• Reviewing the Will and talking you through the document
• Applying for the Grant of Probate (if there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no Will)
• Handling the estate administration on your behalf, including:
  • Dealing with bank accounts, property and other assets, including complex assets such as business interests and international property
  • Selling property
  • Paying off debts
  • Calculating and paying Inheritance Tax (if required) and filing the tax return with HMRC
  • Contacting and distributing inheritance to the beneficiaries
• Providing advice about insolvent estate administration, where the deceased’s assets do not cover all the outstanding debts and liabilities
• Providing emotional support throughout to help you through this difficult time as comfortably as possible

What is probate and estate administration?

When someone dies, they leave behind their money, property, debts and various financial obligations. This is called their ‘estate’.

The estate needs to be dealt with to make sure that all the deceased person’s debts are paid (such as mortgages and personal loans) and their loved ones (the ‘Beneficiaries’) receive their inheritance in line with their Will (or the Rules of Intestacy if they died without making a Will). This process is called ‘estate administration’.

‘Probate’ is part of the estate administration process. It is the process of applying for a ‘Grant of Probate’ (if there is a Will) or a ‘Grant of Letters of Administration’ (if there is no Will) for permission to administer the estate.

You can apply for a Grant of Probate if you were named in the deceased person’s Will as an ‘Executor’.

You can apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration to become an ‘Administrator’ if the deceased did not leave a Will and you are entitled to inherit under the Rules of Intestacy.

Probate and estate administration is often just referred to as ‘probate’.

What does an Executor or Administrator do?

The Executor or Administrator’s job is to do things like:

• Find all the deceased person’s financial documentation
• Contact organisations to find out how much money the deceased had (you will need the death certificate for this)
• Open a bank account for the estate
• Value the estate and prepare a detailed account of the deceased’s assets and debts
• Work out how much inheritance tax the estate owes
• Sell property and pay off debts and expenses
• Distribute the estate to the Beneficiaries

Why instruct a specialist probate lawyer to help?

The above process can be very complicated and getting it wrong can have serious consequences. Executors and Administrators have important legal duties, which means they can be held responsible if mistakes are made. We understand that when you are grieving, the pressures of this and the amount of work involved can become overwhelming.

Our role is you provide as much support as you need to get through this difficult time. If necessary, we can handle every aspect of the estate administration on your behalf. As experts in this area, we can complete the process quickly, efficiently and accurately.

Our probate and estate administration fees

The costs of your legal advice can usually be covered by the estate. We offer both fixed fees and hourly rates to provide a flexible and cost effective probate and estate administration service. We are completely upfront and honest about our fees, so you can trust that there will be no unwelcome surprises when you receive your bill.

For detailed information about our fees, visit our Probate Pricing page.

Speak to our probate and estate administration solicitors

For more information or to set up an initial discussion with a member of our Probate and Estate Administration team, give us a call at your local branch in Winchester, Sunningdale or Alresford, or fill in our simple online enquiry form.