Probate & Estate Administration

Probate & Estate Administration

We provide comprehensive and flexible probate and estate administration services to executors, administrators, personal representatives, and beneficiaries. Whether you require assistance with the administration of an entire estate or support with a particular stage of the process, we provide practical and tailored advice to ensure estates are administered efficiently, correctly, and in accordance with the wishes of the deceased and applicable law.

We act on both straightforward and complex estates, including those involving substantial assets, trusts, business interests, multiple beneficiaries, and international or cross-border elements.

Estate Administration

We assist with all aspects of estate administration, from the initial identification and valuation of assets through to the final distribution of the estate.

Our services include:

  • Identifying and valuing estate assets
  • Dealing with banks, investment providers, insurers, and other institutions
  • Identifying and settling outstanding liabilities
  • Preparing and reviewing estate accounts
  • Applying for the appropriate grants of representation
  • Communicating with beneficiaries
  • Distributing estate assets
  • Addressing issues arising during the administration process

We provide clear guidance throughout, helping personal representatives fulfil their responsibilities while minimising unnecessary delays and costs.

Estate Tax & Inheritance Tax

Estate tax considerations can be a significant part of the administration process. We advise on inheritance tax and related matters, helping personal representatives understand their obligations and identify applicable exemptions, reliefs, and planning opportunities.

Our services include:

  • Advising on inheritance tax liabilities
  • Preparing and reviewing inheritance tax returns
  • Advising on available exemptions and reliefs
  • Assisting with the payment of inheritance tax
  • Corresponding with HM Revenue & Customs
  • Advising on tax issues affecting estate distributions

We work to ensure tax obligations are addressed accurately and efficiently as part of the wider estate administration process.

Executor & Personal Representative Advice

Acting as an executor or personal representative carries significant legal responsibilities and, in some circumstances, personal financial risk.

We advise executors on their duties and obligations throughout the administration of an estate, including the proper collection and protection of assets, payment of debts and taxes, communication with beneficiaries, and final distribution.

Our advice helps personal representatives understand their responsibilities, manage potential risks, and administer estates with confidence and in accordance with the law.

International & Cross-Border Probate

Estates with international elements can involve additional legal, tax, and administrative complexities. We advise where an estate includes overseas property or investments, international beneficiaries, foreign succession issues, or assets held in multiple jurisdictions.

Where appropriate, we coordinate with trusted advisers and professional contacts in other jurisdictions to provide a coordinated approach to cross-border estate administration.

Deeds of Variation

A deed of variation can allow beneficiaries to alter the distribution of an estate after death. We advise beneficiaries and personal representatives on whether a variation may be appropriate and the potential legal and tax implications.

Variations may be considered for a range of reasons, including inheritance tax planning, restructuring an inheritance, or accommodating changing family circumstances.

We provide practical advice on the appropriate structure and implications of a deed of variation, helping clients make informed decisions about the future distribution of an estate.

A Tailored Approach

Every estate is different. We therefore offer a flexible service designed around the circumstances and complexity of each matter. Whether you require complete estate administration or assistance with a specific issue, we provide clear, practical advice and support from the initial stages of probate through to the final distribution of assets.

For details of our probate and estate administration fees, please see our Fees page, or contact us to discuss your circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Probate is the legal process of dealing with the estate of someone who has died. It usually involves obtaining a Grant of Probate (where there is a valid Will) or a Grant of Letters of Administration (where there is no valid Will), collecting and valuing the deceased’s assets, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries.

Not always. Whether a Grant is required usually depends on the value and type of assets in the estate and how they are held. Some banks and institutions will release smaller balances without a Grant, and jointly owned assets may pass automatically to the surviving owner. We can advise whether a Grant is needed in your circumstances.

Obtaining the Grant of Probate or other Grant of Representation typically takes around 6 to 8 weeks, although this can vary. Full administration of a straightforward estate typically takes approximately 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the estate, the assets involved, and the response times of third parties such as HM Revenue & Customs and financial institutions.

An executor is a person named in a valid Will to administer the estate and is granted a Grant of Probate. An administrator is appointed under the intestacy rules where there is no valid Will, or where no executor is able or willing to act, and receives a Grant of Letters of Administration. Both roles carry similar legal duties and responsibilities.

Where someone dies without a valid Will, their estate is distributed in accordance with the intestacy rules, which set out a fixed order of entitlement among surviving relatives. This may not reflect what the deceased would have wanted, and can result in a more complex and lengthy administration. We advise administrators on their duties and on identifying the correct beneficiaries under the intestacy rules.

Executors and administrators are not legally required to instruct a solicitor, but the role carries significant responsibilities and, in some circumstances, personal financial risk if it is not carried out correctly. Many personal representatives choose to instruct a solicitor for some or all of the process, particularly where the estate is complex, involves property, business interests, or trusts, or where inheritance tax is payable.