SOLICITOR (England & Wales)
PROBATE SOLICITOR
STEP Affiliate (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
ASSW (Associate Member of the Society of Will Writers)
PROBATE / ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
Probate is the process of registering the will of a deceased person with the Probate Registry so that the executors obtain the necessary authority to wind up the estate. As solicitors, we are authorised to apply for probate on behalf of executors. This includes preparation of the necessary inheritance tax returns.
Where the estate is intestate, i.e. there is no will, the process of obtaining Letters of Administration is similar to probate but different terminology is used.
We also carry out the administration of deceased estates either as nominated executors or as agents of the appointed executors. In addition to applying for probate, this includes taking control of assets, obtaining valuations, selling assets where appropriate, paying creditors and estate expenses, securing payment from debtors and distributing the net estate to the legatees and heirs in terms of the will.