When someone dies his or her estate enters the process ...

When someone dies, his or her estate enters the process of Probate.

When someone dies, his or her estate enters the process of Probate. A person's estate consists of everything that they own - including money, property, shares and possessions. If the estate is over £5,000, includes stocks or shares, insurance policies or land held in their own name or tenants in common, a Grant of Probate is required to administer the estate.

Grieving for a loved one is a difficult time, and the probate process can be challenging and complex. We aim to make probate less stressful by providing a compassionate and reassuring service, with efficient, expert probate law advice.

Applying for Probate? Find out how we can help - call for a free initial consultation.

Please bring the following documents with you to your appointment (if possible):

• Details of executors or administrators
• An original death certificate of the deceased
• The Will of the deceased
• A list of potential creditors
• A list of potential debtors
• Details of any pensions or benefits to the deceased
• Tax details and NI number for the deceased
• Your own contact details

The Probate Process

Probate is the process that appoints someone to deal with the estate of the deceased. If there is a Will, it is lodged with the Probate Registry and the person(s) named in the Will as Executor(s) will be granted Probate (the right to deal with the estate).

If there is no Will a suitable person, usually the closest relative, will apply to the Probate Registry for the right to administer the estate. The Probate Registry will then issue the Letters of Administration. The application for Letters of Administration may also require an Inland Revenue form to be filled out and the applicant will need to attend an interview with the Probate Registry.

PROBATE AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES

Our charges will be calculated on the basis of the time spent dealing with your matter. An account will be rendered upon receipt of the Grant of Probate, thereafter at intervals of three months and finally upon the winding up of the Estate. In addition, if we act as an Executor there will be a charge of 0.75% of the value of any residence and 1.5% of the value of the gross estate less the residence. However, if we do not act as an Executor there will be a charge of 0.5% of the value of any residence and 1% of the value of the Estate less any residence.