Probate & Administration of Estates

Our private client team will advise and assist you with empathy as we understand that if you have recently lost a loved one, that the legal processes and practical matters that need to be dealt with, can seem both overwhelming and confusing.

When someone dies, it is necessary to establish whether they had made a Will and if so, what their wishes were so that they can be followed.  The person(s) appointed as executors must carry out various obligations.

If the person who has died, did not make a Will then their Estate will be distributed in accordance with the Intestacy Rules.  Those rules set out which family members are entitled to benefit from the Estate.  One or more of those family members will take the role of Administrator which means that they have the right to deal with the Estate.

The term ‘Estate’ is used to describe a person’s property, investments, debts and other possessions.

Our lawyers are experienced in advising and assisting Executors and Administrators with their legal obligations in dealing with an Estate as well as beneficiaries who are concerned about their entitlements.

We can assist with: –

• Obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
• Administering the Estate (collecting in assets and distributing them)
• Accounting to HM Revenue & Customs in relation to Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax
• Post-death Variations
• Advising you as to the application of the Intestacy Rules
• Advising you as regards claims that are being made against the Estate