Guiding you through Obtaining Probate.
Our expert Wills, Probate & Lifetime Planning Team of solicitors have been advising clients for many years on matters related to trusts, wills, probate, and lasting powers of attorney (LPA).
If you're administering the estate of someone who's passed away, we'll take you through the probate process or, if there's no will, we can assist you in gaining a letter of administration to handle the deceased's assets. The complexity of probate law is well understood, but we make everything simpler for you.
Probate is too complicated.
We make everything simpler.
Our probate solicitors will closely examine your case, providing clear and simple advice on whether a grant of probate is necessary based on various factors, such as the size of the estate or jointly owned assets. Depending on your specific needs, we can guide you through the probate law process, ensuring you respect the deceased's wishes in a fair and timely manner.
Whether or not probate is required depends on different factors, for example, the size of the estate or what assets are owned by the deceased when they die, or whether or not those assets are owned jointly.
It may be that the administration of the estate is quite straightforward and you only need our help in applying for probate or obtaining the grant. If, however, you need additional help in administering the estate, please follow the link to our Administration of Estates section of this website for further guidance.
Our expert Wills, Probate & Lifetime Planning Team have been advising clients in respect of trusts and probate for many years. Should you require additional assistance in administering the estate, our probate solicitors will be ready to help. From dealing with probate law to handling lasting powers of attorney, we are dedicated to offering comprehensive support tailored to your requirements.
Specialist support, complete understanding.
We understand that everyone's circumstances are different, so we're more than willing to assist you if you just need advice in obtaining probate yourself. On the other hand, if you prefer, we can handle every aspect of the application process, allowing you to focus on supporting your family during this difficult time.
Many members of our team are proud members of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), which means we possess the expertise and experience needed to guide you through the probate process seamlessly. We'll take care of preparing the necessary inheritance tax forms, completing the oath, and making the application for the grant, ensuring you have peace of mind to prioritise what truly matters – you and your family.
We’ll advise you on:
Probate – what it is and how long it can take
Power of Attorney – applications and costs
The Office of the Public Guardian
Court of Protection
Probate forms
Probate registry
International probate law
Grant of probate
Executor of will
Wills
Death certificates
Working With Our Service Team
We understand that planning for the future and protecting your loved ones, is one of the most important things we will prepare for. Our trusted and compassionate team are able to advise and put into place all of the foundations for you and your family, keeping you updated at all times.
- Kim Carr
If you have an enquiry in relation to Wills, Trusts and Probate or simply want to speak to a member of our expert team, please get in touch.
What does probate mean? What is a probate? A Grant of Probate is a legal document authorising an Executor to administer the deceased’s estate in accordance with their Will. Probate is now used as a generic term when administering an estate but technically, a Grant of Probate is only obtained when there is a Will. Where a deceased died without a Will, the equivalent is called a Grant of Letters of Administration.
If a valid Will was in place at the time of the deceased’s death, then whoever they named as Executor in the Will are able to apply for Probate. If there was no Will in place at the time of your loved one’s death, you will have to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration to become the ‘Administrator’.
How long is probate taking does not have a definitive answer. The length of time for obtaining probate in the UK can vary widely depending on the complexity of the estate, the accuracy of the documents submitted, and any potential disputes or issues that may arise.
Generally, the probate process includes valuing the estate, paying any outstanding debts or taxes, and distributing the assets to the beneficiaries. This can typically take anywhere from a few months to a year or even longer. Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration can take several weeks, and the entire process may be prolonged if the Probate Registry requires additional information or if there are any complications.
Applying for probate with the guidance of probate solicitors can often streamline the process, ensuring that all legal requirements are met. Understanding what probate is and what probate means in the context of the UK law can help in managing expectations and planning accordingly.
The need for probate varies depending on the specific situation and the nature of the assets involved. Probate is generally required in the UK when a person dies leaving assets that need to be distributed to beneficiaries. If the deceased owned property solely in their name, or had bank accounts, investments, or other assets without a designated beneficiary, obtaining probate is typically necessary.
This legal process involves applying for probate, which grants the authority to administer the estate. However, if the assets were jointly owned or are of low value, probate might not be required. The rules can be complex, and understanding what is probate and the full probate process can be challenging. Consulting with probate solicitors or using a probate service is often advisable to navigate the intricacies of probate law in the UK.
