Probate & estate administration solicitors

Dealing with a bereavement is difficult enough but sometimes you might also be required to handle the administration of a loved one’s estate.

You may have to arrange the funeral, go through personal papers to find out what assets and debts there may be, apply to the probate registry and deal with beneficiaries and other family members. Being a personal representative of an estate can be an onerous task. Our experienced probate solicitors can help by advising personal representatives on what to do and even deal with the entire estate on your behalf.

At Stephensons, we understand that the process of estate administration can be overwhelming, especially during a time when you're already dealing with the loss of a loved one. That's why our probate and estate administration solicitors provide a comprehensive solution designed to ease the burden of managing legal, tax, property, and estate affairs. With our team of experienced probate and estate administration solicitors and specialists, we take full responsibility for every aspect of the process, ensuring a smooth and efficient administration of the estate.

We aim to make our estate administration pricing as transparent as possible. We strive to achieve this by offering fixed prices for our probate services rather than charging hourly rates or complex percentage rates.

If you would like further information on how we can help you, please call us on 01616 966 229 for a no obligation initial chat with one of our advisors. We have a team of friendly and approachable advisors who are waiting to take your call. They will talk to you about your situation without using legal jargon and they will do their best to make you feel comfortable and at ease. If you don’t want to call us initially you can contact us at a time most convenient to you, anytime of the day or night, through our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can to see if we can help.

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Probate and estate administration lawyers - areas of specialism

Probate is the process of sorting out a person’s estate after they have passed away. This can include repaying debts and distributing assets in accordance with their Will, if there is one, or through rules of intestacy if no Will was made. If you have been appointed as the executor of a person’s estate, there are specific rules that dictate how the estate will be distributed and how to notify the authorities. At Stephensons, our experts can help you with this process - find out more about the role of an executor. Our areas of expertise include:

Obtaining grants of probate (if there is a will)
Grants of letters of administration (if there is no will)
Dealing with the administration of an estate and distribution to beneficiaries
Preparation of estate accounts for personal representatives
Preparation of and advice on inheritance tax returns
Post-death arrangements to reduce inheritance tax

Whether the estate is small and straightforward or highly complex, our probate solicitors can help ease the burden at this stressful time. Contact us today on 01616 966 229.

Video meetings

We offer video meetings, using most of the commonly available apps. Not only is this more convenient for you, to save having to come to an office, but it also allows you to conveniently have a family member or friend with you, who also does not need to travel. Sometimes when meeting a solicitor it is useful to have someone else who can ask any questions that you may miss or help you recall something afterwards.

We are happy for you to have someone with you if that makes you feel more comfortable but occasionally we may need to ask them to leave the meeting for a period of time to make sure that we understand your true wishes without outside influence.

Of course you do not have to have anyone with you in meetings and many of our clients do not. We aim to deliver services, whether it be by video, telephone or in the office, in a friendly, approachable and understandable way.

Probate and estate administration FAQs

Do you need a solicitor to administer an estate?

You do not necessarily need a solicitor to administer an estate, but it can be highly beneficial. The complexity of estate administration, including legal, tax, and financial aspects, can make it challenging for individuals to navigate on their own.

Estate administration solicitors have expertise in these areas and can provide valuable guidance, ensure legal compliance, and streamline the process, reducing the burden on those dealing with the estate. While it's not mandatory, hiring a solicitor can make the process smoother and more efficient.

How long does estate administration take?

Estate administration duration varies widely, depending on factors like estate complexity and local laws. Typically, it takes several months to a year or more to complete, but simple estates may conclude more swiftly, while complex ones can extend for several years.

What are the steps of estate administration?

The steps of estate administration typically include:

Gather information: collect essential documents such as the will, financial records, and asset information.
Apply for Grant of Probate: if required, apply for the Grant of Probate to gain legal authority over the estate.
Notify relevant parties: inform beneficiaries, creditors, and relevant authorities about the death.
Asset valuation: determine the value of assets, including property, investments, and personal belongings.
Settle debts: pay off outstanding debts and liabilities using estate funds.
Tax matters: handle inheritance and capital gains tax obligations.
Distribute assets: distribute assets to beneficiaries as outlined in the will or according to legal succession rules if there is no will.
Legal documentation: maintain proper records and prepare legal documentation throughout the process.
Final accounts: prepare final accounts detailing all financial transactions during estate administration.
Finalise estate: once all steps are complete, close the estate, and obtain beneficiaries' confirmation.
Court approval (if needed): seek court approval for complex or disputed estates.
Reporting: Keep beneficiaries informed throughout the process.
Estate closure: after all tasks are completed, close the estate officially.

Remember, the exact steps can vary based on the complexity of the estate. Consulting with one of our estate administration solicitors can provide valuable guidance.

Why does an estate have to obtain probate?

An estate will need to have a Grant of Probate if the deceased person owned property and had other assets in their sole name. Depending on their value, assets which are held in a person's sole name (property, bank accounts, shares and other investments) will often require a grant of probate or a grant of letters of administration before they can be cashed in or sold. Some assets are owned jointly, such as a joint bank account or a jointly owned house. Grants are not usually needed for these assets to pass to the surviving joint owner. The value of the share may have to be declared for inheritance tax though.

Do I need probate for a small estate?

Whether or not you will need probate for a small estate will depend on whether the deceased held assets in their sole name. If they owned property, including land, houses or buildings, then probate is required. If they don’t own any property but have bank accounts or investments in their sole name, then depending on their value, you may need a grant of representation. Financial institutions, such as banks, set their own limits on when probate is required, so you will need to check with each individual organisation to see if you will need a grant of representation to deal with them.

How to value an estate for probate?

Valuing an estate for probate is one of the first tasks that will need to be completed. The best place to start is to make a list of all the deceased assets, debts and you will need to include non-tax-exempt gifts that were made in the last seven years before their death. Depending on the complexity of the estate, this can take some time. At Stephensons, our probate solicitors can help you to value the estate of your loved one. For more information about our probate services, contact us today on 01616 966 229.

Can you settle an estate without probate?

You can only settle an estate without probate if the deceased didn't own property and their other sole owned assets, such as bank accounts, are under the financial institution's threshold for grant of representation. If all assets are held in joint names, then you may be able to settle the estate without probate.

How long after probate do you need to distribute the estate?

Once probate is granted, or if there is no will, letter of administration, it can take up to 6-12 months for all the debts to be settled, funds transferred, and assets sold. If the estate is large and complex, this may take longer.

Can you sue an estate after probate?

It is possible to sue an estate or challenge a Will after probate has been issued, however, it may mean that the case is made more complex. There are time limits when it comes to contesting probate and these vary, depending on the nature of the claim:

An inheritance Act claim for financial provision from an estate has a six-month time limit from the date of the Grant of Probate
A beneficiary claiming against an estate has a 12-year time limit
Fraud/claiming against an executor for appropriating estate assets does not have a time limit

Do we have to pay any tax?

There are three taxes which could apply when administering an estate. There may be inheritance tax to pay on the value of the net estate. There could be capital gains tax to pay on the increase in the value of certain assets (e.g a house or shareholding investments) between the date of death and the date of sale. Income tax could be payable on any "income" into the estate since the date of death (e.g. bank interest since the date of death).

What do we do about debts?

If the estate is solvent (there are more assets than debts) then the debts are usually paid off after the personal representatives have collected in all the assets, once they have obtained the grant. Sometimes gifts in a Will are left subject to a charge or secured debt. Sometimes a Will sets aside a fund for the payment of debts. A properly drafted Will should provide the personal representatives with all they need to know about how debts should be paid from the estate.

Do we need to keep records?

Personal representatives should keep records of the funds they have collected in and debts they have paid out from the estate. The beneficiaries of an estate may be entitled to see an estate account when they receive their share of the estate.

How much does probate cost?

Please note that our fixed or estimated fees for Wills and Probate work are based upon a matter having standard features. They give an indication of the likely range of prices in most instances. However if your matter has non-standard features such as complex property, family relationships, dispositions or risks, then we may not be able to assist you for the fees shown on our website. In that instance we may give you an alternative fee quote based on hourly rates or further fixed or estimated fees. To get a more specific, no obligation, quote for your matter please feel free to complete the contact form on this page and we will contact you give you some more information. There will be no hard sell. We will just let you know what your options are and then you decide.

Grant of probate/grant of letters of administration only where no Inheritance Tax is payable - £1,200 plus third party costs (disbursements)* and VAT

Executors/administrators can then deal with the administration of the estate after we have obtained the grant for them.

If Inheritance Tax is payable or there are other tax matters arising we will agree a fee with you based on the hourly rates of the person dealing with the matter. Complex estates involving tax matters tend to be handled by more senior solicitors and staff and our average hourly rate for them is £225 plus VAT.

Dealing with entire estate (obtaining grant, collecting in assets and distributing to beneficiaries)

For average estate values which are under £325,000 and with no inheritance tax payable, where this is the case our average prices are: 3% of the gross value of the estate plus third party costs and VAT.

This means, for example, that if the estate is worth £250,000 before deduction of debts and other expenses then our fees would be £7,500 plus third party costs and VAT.

We charge a minimum fee of £3,000 plus third party costs (disbursements)* and VAT.

*Third party costs

Probate Court fee of £300 plus VAT
£1.50 plus VAT for each office copy of the grant required (1 per asset usually)
£3.60 plus VAT HM Land Registry official copy entry
£2 plus VAT bankruptcy search
£10 plus VAT for electronic ID search
HM Land Registry registration fees based on scales and the value and status of the property - between £30 and £200.

Other third party costs will be advised as required, e.g. accountant’s fee for potential income tax return, statutory advertisement fee to advertise for unknown creditors, asset tracing fee

There may be additional third party costs for lost share certificates and share registrar and/or sale agent fees on transfer or sale of the shares

S27 Advertisements in the London Gazette and a local newspaper in from £150 - £300 depending on the local newspaper advertising costs

Stockbroker fees - £25 - £150 depending on the number of shareholdings to be dealt with

How long does probate take?

The probate procedure involves the personal representatives valuing the estate's assets, taking from this any debt amounts and then notifying the probate registry what the value of the remaining estate is. The length of time involved largely depends on what is in the estate. If there is a house, then it will depend on the housing market and how quickly a sale can be agreed. If there are only bank accounts then you may be able to get the grant within about two months. If there are shares, it could take longer. The more wide-ranging the types of assets there are in an estate, the longer it could take. If inheritance tax has to be paid, the values of the assets in an estate may have to be agreed with the Inland Revenue and this could take time.

Key stages and what is included in our pricing

If you instruct us to obtain a grant only and you administer the estate then the key stages and what is included in our prices is:

Preparing the relevant HMRC forms and Statement of Truth from the probate valuations obtained by you
Placing statutory advertisements (if required)
Carrying out a Certainty Search if required
Helping you to ensure that the relevant HMRC forms and Statement of Truth are correct and suitable to be signed
Lodging your application for the Grant of Representation at the Probate Registry
Providing you with the Grant of Representation and sealed copies

If you instruct us to obtain a grant and administer the estate then the key stages and what is included in our prices is:

Valuing the estate assets
Obtaining details of outstanding debts
Arranging payment of the funeral from estate funds (if required)
Placing statutory advertisements (if required)
Carrying out a Certainty Search if required
Preparing the relevant HMRC forms and Statement of Truth
Arranging payment of Inheritance Tax where necessary
Helping you to ensure that the relevant HMRC forms and Statement of Truth are correct and suitable to be signed
Lodging your application for the Grant of Representation at the Probate Registry
Collecting in the assets
Paying the debts from estate funds
Liaising with HMRC in respect of income tax for the current tax year up to date of death
Instructing an accountant to complete additional tax returns (if required)
Preparing estate and distribution accounts
Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries

*Not included in the price are the sales fees on properties, estate agency, taxes and HMLR fees.

If you would like further information on how we can help you, please call us on 0161 696 6238 for a no obligation initial chat with one of our advisors. We have a team of friendly and approachable advisors who are waiting to take your call. They will talk to you about your situation without using legal jargon and they will do their best to make you feel comfortable and at ease. If you don’t want to call us initially you can contact us at a time most convenient to you, anytime of the day or night, through our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as we can to see if we can help.

What qualifications do the team hold?

All estate administration work is supervised by a qualified solicitor. Specific experience can be seen in the individual staff profiles.

Further information

Please note that our fixed or estimated fees for Wills and Probate work are based upon a matter having standard features. They give an indication of the likely range of prices in most instances. However if your matter has non-standard features such as complex property, family relationships, dispositions or risks, then we may not be able to assist you for the fees shown on our website. In that instance we may give you an alternative fee quote based on hourly rates or further fixed or estimated fees.

The advice provided to non-face to face clients will be through electronic or written communication only e.g. by telephone and email. Stephensons Solicitors LLP assumes no responsibility for, and shall not be liable for, (a) verification of mental capacity or testamentary capacity (b) verification of any undue influence or duress involved (c) the execution of any documents.

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What to do when someone dies - a guide to probate

Dealing with the financial affairs of a loved one who has died is a challenging responsibility at an already emotional and stressful time. Our team of experienced solicitors are here to assist you with a simple guide of what to expect.

After coming to terms with the loss of a loved one you may also be faced with the practical matters of dealing with a death. Initially the death must be reported to a doctor who will issue a medical certificate.

A funeral director can then begin to make arrangements and the death certificate can be issued.

It is advisable to retrieve the Will to check the identity of the executors unless you prefer to wait until after the funeral. It is important to seek the advice of a legal professional, as a solicitor can relieve any complex issues and speed up the process by dealing with the legal paperwork.

Registering a death

When someone dies, the death must be registered with the local Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths. Usually a close family member registers the death. All deaths in England and Wales should be registered within five days of the death unless there is a delay due to the involvement of the coroner.

At the register office you will need

The medical certificate of cause of death, signed by the doctor, unless it has already been sent straight to the registrar
The NHS medical card of the deceased
The deceased’s birth certificate, if you have it

You will be asked for the following information about the deceased:

Full name, including maiden name (and any other former names or aliases)
Address and occupation
Date and place of birth as shown on the birth certificate
Date and place of death as shown on the medical certificate of cause of death
Name and date of birth of the deceased’s spouse whether living or not (and in Scotland details of former spouses)
Spouse or civil partner’s occupation

When someone dies you need to apply for the legal authority to deal with their property, money and possessions (also known as their estate). This is known as the grant of representation and is the legal authority obtained through the probate registry.

What is probate?

Probate is a term used for the legal document you require in order to deal with the estate. The legal document will be referred to as a grant of probate if there is a Will or grant of letters of administration if there is no Will. It gives those who are responsible permission to deal with the estate when the value of the estate is over £5,000 after the funeral costs have been deducted. However, certain assets such as shareholdings and life policies may require the grant even if the estate is under £5000.

Is there a Will?

The Will should appoint executors who are responsible for managing the estate.

What is an executor?

The person outlined in the Will who is responsible for dealing with the deceased’s estate. It is a position which carries duties and responsibilities. If the executor is not sure about the deceased’s financial dealings they should consider placing statutory advertisements which are legal notices to protect the executor against unknown creditors.

What is an estate?

An estate is the value of the deceased’s assets less any debts, such as the funeral account.

If there is no Will

If there is no Will the individual has ‘died intestate’ therefore any assets will be split according to the rules of intestacy. These rules set out who is entitled to share in the estate in a fixed order. The same rules will apply if a Will is not legally valid. Any Will or intestate estate is capable of being varied if all beneficiaries are in agreement. Please speak to one of our team for more information.

Grant of representation

To gather in certain financial policies and bank accounts you must apply for a ‘grant of representation.’ This means you will be officially appointed to carry out the expressed wishes according to the Will or rules of intestacy and distribute the estate.

You will need to complete the relevant forms and have all the figures to hand. In some complex cases this could take several months. Your legal advisor can help with your application and present the correct evidence in order to speed up the process.

A grant of representation may not be needed if any assets are jointly owned. You will need a copy of the death certificate to establish how much the estate is worth and if assets can be obtained without a grant of representation.

Inheritance tax

Inheritance tax must be paid before a grant of representation is issued. If it is not paid within six months after the person’s death, interest will be applied and additional financial penalties may be incurred. In some cases the tax can be paid in annual instalments. The rates of inheritance tax can be confusing but your legal advisor will be able to guide you through the process ensuring you comply with rules set by HM Revenue and Customs.

Distributing the estate

Once any property is sold and monies are collected in, the debts should be paid. Estate accounts should be produced showing monies coming in and going out of the estate. All beneficiaries should be named in the accounts and their entitlement documented. Once any outstanding debts have been paid the estate can be distributed to those who are named in the will or under the rules of intestacy.

Documentation

If inheritance tax is paid, all paperwork should be kept until HM Revenue & Customs have sent a letter of clearance (stating all their enquiries are complete). This can sometimes take a number of months after the grant of representation has been issued.

If there is a potential challenge to the estate, time limits can apply in which to bring a challenge, based on the date of the grant of representation. A member of our team will be able to assist further with advice around this.

If you would like to speak to member of the specialist probate and estate administration team here at Stephensons please call us on 01616 966 229 and we would be happy to discuss your situation and how we can help. You can also complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you directly.

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