Probate & Estate Administration

Probate is the legal process of being appointed to deal with someone’s estate after they have died. If they left a Will, they may have appointed you as executor in their Will, in which case you can apply for Probate.

If there is no Will your right to deal with the estate will be dealt with by the Intestacy Rules.

There are some circumstances where you may not need to obtain probate, but for most estates you do.

You should remember though that as executor or administrator, you are legally responsible for ensuring that all inheritance tax owed on the estate and all debts are paid. Furthermore, any money outstanding is recovered and finally that the estate is distributed correctly.

Should there be a legal challenge on the Will or on Probate, it will be your responsibility to deal with this. We can be on hand to provide any assistance you may require. 

There is a great deal to do as an executor of a Will or an administrator where there is no Will. Managing the probate process is one of them. It can be difficult to find time to grieve for the loss of your loved one with all of the paperwork, time pressures and other legal requirements.

This is where we can step in. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process, you can appoint us to deal with the aspects of estate administration on your behalf. 

In addition, we will complete probate as quickly as we can by utilising our many years of experience to ensure as smooth a process as possible. 

Whilst cost is a consideration, we will talk you through all of the options and give you a good idea of what the process will cost. We provide a variety of services and can offer as much or as little assistance in dealing with the administration of an estate as you wish. We have different levels of fees depending on the work you would like us to undertake.

A Trust provides a useful tool for making tax efficient planning, since it can be a good way of making structures to benefit you, your family and future generations.

When a trust is created, you must appoint people called Trustees to hold assets for the benefit of Beneficiaries you choose.  

There are different types of trusts you can create to make your estate tax efficient. We can help guide you through your trust options so you can make an informed decision about the best way to arrange your affairs to protect your loved ones.

Trusts can be used to safeguard loved ones, if there is doubt they can manage their own affairs. 

Our team of experienced Solicitors can help guide you through the process and benefits of making and maintaining a Trust.