Probate and Estate Administration

We offer compassionate, efficient and expert support to guide you through this process with clarity and care. Whether you need full estate administration or help with specific aspects of the probate process, our experienced team is here to support you.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering a person’s estate after they die. If the deceased left a valid Will, the named executors are responsible for carrying out their wishes. If there is no Will, the estate is administered under the rules of intestacy by the next of kin, who will need to apply to be appointed as an administrator.

The process typically involves:

• Locating the Will (if one exists)
• Identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities
• Applying for a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no Will)
• Collecting in assets such as bank accounts, investments, and property
• Paying any outstanding debts and Inheritance Tax
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries in line with the Will or intestacy rules
• Preparing estate accounts and legal documentation

Even small or simple estates can involve significant paperwork, delays, and legal formalities.

Our Probate services

We understand that no two estates are the same. We tailor our services to your individual circumstances, offering as much or as little assistance as you need. We can act on behalf of executors or administrators or take full responsibility as professional executors where appropriate.

Grant-only service

If you are happy to manage the estate yourself but need help with the legal paperwork, we offer a fixed-fee Grant-only service. This includes:

• Reviewing the Will or confirming the rules of intestacy
• Preparing and submitting the probate application
• Calculating and reporting the value of the estate
• Liaising with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) where required
• Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

Once the Grant has been issued, you are free to administer the estate independently with confidence.

Full estate administration

For those who prefer support with the entire process, we offer a comprehensive estate administration service. This includes:

• Registering the death and obtaining the death certificate
• Valuing all assets and liabilities
• Contacting banks, investment providers and utility companies
• Preparing and submitting Inheritance Tax forms to HMRC
• Applying for and securing the Grant of Probate
• Collecting in funds and settling all debts and expenses
• Preparing estate accounts and distributing the estate to beneficiaries

We manage every detail with professionalism and sensitivity, freeing you from the burden of administration during a time of grief.

Complex or contentious estates

We regularly assist with estates involving:

• Foreign assets or cross-border succession issues
• Business or agricultural property
• Trusts, lifetime gifts or tax planning structures
• Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
• Disputes between beneficiaries or family members
• Missing beneficiaries or uncertain entitlements

Where necessary, we work alongside specialist colleagues in our litigation and tax teams to resolve issues swiftly and effectively.

Get in touch

Our team has years of experience dealing with estates of all sizes and complexities and are sensitive to the emotional toll of bereavement.

We act quickly and clearly, keeping you informed and moving the process forward at every stage. Whether you are an executor, administrator or beneficiary, we will ensure your rights and responsibilities are clearly understood.

Dealing with a loved one’s estate is never easy. Let us take care of the legal and administrative responsibilities so you can focus on what matters most. Get in touch with us today.