The estate administration process can take months or even years in very complicated cases. Personal representatives can make personal applications to the probate registry. However, few people have the time to spare or the ready knowledge at hand to deal with these situations as well as they should, which is why it makes sense to instruct a probate lawyer for specialist legal advice. As such, it is important to employ the services of one of our estate planning lawyers to help the probate process go as smoothly as possible.
On death, the executors named in the will of the deceased (or the appointed administrators, where there is no will) are responsible for dealing with the administration and distribution of the estate. In most cases it is necessary to obtain a grant of probate, which is a legal document that formalises the appointment of the executors.
The role of executor can include registering the death, organising the funeral, ascertaining details of the deceased’s assets and liabilities, calculating and settling all tax liabilities (including the preparation and submission of inheritance tax forms), encashing and transferring assets and accounting to the beneficiaries.
Our probate solicitors are equipped to help you deal with all manner of issues following the death of a person close to you. From Inheritance Act claims to will contesting and contentious probate disputes, we’re here to help you do your best out of these difficult situations.
In this episode, Fiona Taylor explains what probate is and the different approaches taken depending on whether the deceased has left a Will or if they have died intestate. She describes the various stages that are involved, from applying for probate to the distribution of the assets.
In this episode, Fiona Taylor talks about some of the common problems that she sees time and time again when she is administering estates. And ones that can cause quite a lot of headaches, but they are actually relatively easy to fix.
If you’ve been left out of a Will, or not been left as much as you need, you may be able to make a claim under the Inheritance Act. Our Inheritance Act solicitors can help you make a claim. We can also help if someone is making a claim on your inheritance.
Find out moreOur inheritance tax planning solicitors can advise you on how best to structure and deal with your assets to make the most of current tax-saving possibilities.
Find out moreTrusts may seem complicated, but they are a valuable way to retain control over your assets whilst placing them outside your ownership. The trust will allow the person who has made the gift to attach certain conditions to it. Trusts can be used as a way of managing wealth for you, your family or other beneficiaries.
Find out moreA Will allows you to choose exactly how your assets and possessions should be dealt with in the event of your death. You can give specific gifts to your family, friends or even charities. If you pass away without a Will everything you leave will be divided according to the fixed rules of intestacy.
Find out moreLasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) allow you to make arrangements to ensure that if an accident or illness were to affect your mental capacity to act or make decisions for yourself, your personal and financial affairs will be looked after by a person(s) that you choose.
Find out moreIf an individual loses the ability to make decisions for themselves; this could be due to a mental health condition or a severe learning difficulty, a sudden accident, medical negligence or dementia our Court of Protection solicitors can help.
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