Probate & Estate Management
When a person dies their affairs will need to be finalised. If they left a Will appointing Executors then the Executors will administer the estate. Probate is the legal authority that enables the Executor in a Will to deal with the deceased’s affairs. Probate is usually required when the person who died left more than £5,000, stocks or shares, a house or land or some insurance policies. Until a Grant of Probate has been obtained the Executor cannot sell or deal with any of the deceased’s assets.
If no Will was made then the deceased is said to have died Intestate. An Administrator will need to undertake this role who will often be a close relative, although the right to apply is determined by a set order of priority. A Grant of Letters of Administration provides the Administrator with the legal authority to deal with the intestate estate.
Applying for a Grant does not have to be done through a solicitor. However, it can be a complex task and a solicitor who specialises in Wills and Probate can offer various levels of assistance. Often it is the person who is bereaved who is named as Executor or Administrator and at such a time dealing with the Deceased’s affairs can be extremely stressful. It is also helpful if an objective professional deals with the administration of the estate especially when bereaved family members do not get on.
The role of the Executor or Administrator can be an onerous one. It is their responsibility to take charge of all the assets of the Deceased on behalf of the beneficiaries of the estate. They are fully accountable to the beneficiaries for their actions and can be held personally and financially responsible for loss suffered to the estate. Many people name a firm of solicitors as Executor and at Couchman Hanson we are experts in dealing with estates and understand the processes and paperwork involved. Alternatively, we can provide Executors and Administrators with the necessary guidance to perform this role.
Please contact us today on 01428 774756 for a sympathetic and professional approach.
James Ambrose is our expert in Probate and Estate Administration.
At Couchman Hanson Solicitors, the quality of service we provide to our clients is paramount. We offer a free consultation to discuss the complexity of your case followed by a quotation for the work required.
Initial consultation – 15 mins FREE
£160 – £330 + VAT per hour on a ‘work time basis’ only and not on the value of the estate
(We will always try to distribute work between advisors to ensure best value for money)For complex cases we provide an estimate of fees before commencing any work on your behalf
Related disbursements (expenditures) e.g. probate application, swearing of an oath (Executors), Land Registry fees
The costs of administering the estate will depend upon the complexity and amount of work involved. Often a larger estate can be more straightforward to wind-up than an estate with a large number of small accounts and other holdings. Where full Inheritance Tax Inland Revenue Returns are required, this increases the time involved but we provide you with an estimate of fees. We will seek agreement on fees with you before we commence any work on your behalf.
In addition to our fees, there may be related expenditures which you will need to incur and we will advise you of these.
Each Administration is different but our experience enables us to provide accurate estimates and we always keep you informed of costs incurred throughout the process. So, whether the estate has a Will or not, is taxable or not the cost will only depend on the time taken to complete the Administration.
Click here for full details on our pricing and service information on Probate & Estate Administration (uncontested).
Please contact us today on 01428 774756 for a sympathetic and professional approach.
You might find our latest articles of interest
Probate- what is it?
Getting involved in the Probate process needn’t be a frightening prospect. Read our basic guide to the ins and outs of Probate.
Dealing with more than one Executor during Probate
When you make your Will, you don’t have to appoint only one Executor. On the other hand, if you find yourself on a team of Executors, it may add extra work to the Probate process.
Online Enquiry
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The information you provide will be only used by us to administer your enquiry and any response. Use of this form does not create a solicitor-client relationship and information transmitted will not necessarily be treated as privileged or confidential. If you are a client, please get in touch with your usual firm contact directly for the most timely response.
