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Specialist legal advice and practical support for financial affairs and estate management
Bereavement can be a challenging time. Sorting through a loved one’s finances can feel overwhelming, but our experienced estate administration legal professionals are here to support you with the financial and practical affairs - whether the process is straightforward or more complicated.
When is a Grant of Representation Needed?
Very often a Grant of Representation is needed. If the deceased left a Will, and you are named as an Executor you may require a grant of probate. Or it could be that the deceased died without leaving a will (i.e. died intestate) and you will become an Administrator by obtaining letters of administration.
Executors and Administrators
As a Personal Representative (whether an Executor or an Administrator) our experts in this field are happy to talk to you and advise as to what is necessary in your particular circumstances, so as to make the process as stress-free as possible.
How We Can Help
We are able to assist you with just obtaining a grant of probate or letters of administration or deal with the whole administration process on your behalf. We can:
- Assist you in tracing a valid will and/or beneficiaries of the estate
- Obtain valuations of assets
- Ensure funeral accounts and other liabilities are paid
- If inheritance tax, capital gains tax or income tax is payable, ensure this is paid and within the time limit so as to avoid any unnecessary interest or charges
- Prepare the HMRC estate information form and oath to apply for a grant of probate/letters of administration
- Register the grant and collect in monies
- Prepare estate accounts
- Ensure accurate distributions to beneficiaries in accordance with the will or intestacy rules
Protecting Personal Representatives
We can also advise you on how to personally protect yourselves as a Personal Representative with regard to potential claims being made against the estate. Should a claim be made, i.e., by a creditor or a person under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, we have the expert knowledge to deal with these claims on your behalf.
Post-Death Tax Planning
We are able to advise Personal Representatives and Beneficiaries on the possibility of post death tax planning, this can include a deed of variation. We can explore this avenue with you and prepare the necessary documentation. You may then want to consider whether in light of any inheritance you need your own further tax planning or to prepare or update a Will.
Speak to our Probate Team
If you have any queries at all following the loss of a loved one, our qualified and friendly team will be more than happy to assist you, so please give us a call.
FAQs
Who is entitled to view a Will? Before/after Probate granted
Only the Executors named in the Will are entitled to read it after you have died. After Probate has been granted, it becomes a public document and anyone can apply to the Registry for a copy of it.
Can my Attorneys continue to pay invoices from my estate when I die?
The people you appoint to be your Attorneys under a Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney will cease to be your Attorney immediately upon death. The administration of your estate will be dealt with by the Executors that you appoint in your Will. If you are not sure of what you can and can’t do as an attorney, please arrange an appointment to discuss this further with us.
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“I received very professional but friendly service. Everything was made very approachable and easy despite the difficult circumstances that I was under.”
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“Christine supported me through the process of probate, throughout what was a very difficult time in my life, Christine dealt with the whole situation and my questions with the utmost professionalism and compassion. I will be forever grateful for this.”