Probate Solicitors

If you have been named as an Executor of a Will, it is possible that you may have to apply for the Grant of Probate in order to administer their estate. Whilst an Executor derives their authority from the Will, you may have to take further steps to prove your authority to enable you to distribute the deceased’s assets, pay any of their outstanding debts and organise assets such as their property, financial wealth, shares, and possessions.

This task can be overwhelming, daunting, and emotionally draining as it often involves carrying out the deceased’s final wishes. Because of this, having the assistance of Roythornes’s expert Probate Team can help to minimise stress and ensure the Estate Administration goes as smoothly as possible.

At Roythornes, our team understands how upsetting a loss can be and can provide guidance and support throughout all aspects of the probate process, including:

• Applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
• Administering the estate
• Inheritance Tax
• Handling debts and any tax due
• Addressing disputes
• Selling or transferring ownership of property

Get in touch with our Grant of Probate Solicitors today

To access legal support and receive support regarding probate, contact our team in Alconbury, Birmingham, Nottingham, Peterborough or Spalding.

Our legal expertise regarding Probates:

Applying for probate

It is possible to apply for Probate online, but if the estate is more complex or if you have concerns about the application process, our Probate Team can help you complete it quickly and efficiently.

Estate Administration

After the death ofsomeone, it is necessary to deal with their estate in accordance with the current rules so that it can bedealt with correctly. Our Probate Team can advise you on matters like:

• Obtaining valuations for all known assets and liabilities
• Dealing with any outstanding debts
• Collecting and distributing the deceased’s assets
• What to do if the deceased did not have a Will (intestacy)
• Identifying beneficiaries
• Searching for missing assets and beneficiaries

Inheritance Tax

Managing inheritance tax can be distressing, especially so soon after the death of a loved one. But by providing expert probate legal advice, our specialist Grant of Probate Solicitors can help you navigate matters involving inheritance tax, how to pay, when to pay and ensuring that there are no penalties for errors.

Paying debts

After receiving the Grant, paying any outstanding debts is the first step in administrating the estate. The estate is used to pay off debts like:

• Mortgage
• Credit card debt
• Loans

Our team can ensure that this process is completed as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

Addressing disputes

In some circumstances, a Will or the distribution of an Estate may be contested. This can delay the administration of the deceased’s estate.  

Unfortunately, disputes during the Administration of an Estate are fairly common, including miscommunication, misunderstandings, and challenges over the distribution of the estate. With the help of our team at Roythornes, you can rest assured that any disputes will be handled with care.

We can provide legal advice regarding disputes over:

• The interpretation of the Will
• The value of the estate
• Changes in the Will
• Disagreements between banditries
• Contesting the Will
• Inheritance
• Property

Selling or transferring ownership of property

Property is often one of the most valuable types of assets within an estate. The Grant gives you the authority to sell or transfer property to a beneficiary. However, this process can often lead to disputes.

Our specialist team can provide assistance with:

• Transferring property ownership
• Selling the property

• Inheritance disputes
• Succession disputes
• Disputes between benefactors and executioners
• Disputes regarding miscommunications or misinterpretations of the Will
• Disputes occurring when a Will is being contested

Frequently asked questions

What is the Grant?

In the event of the death of a loved one, the Grant is a legal document that gives you the authority to handle their estate, i.e., property, wealth, possessions, and other assets. There are different types of Grant depending on the individual’s estate at the time of their death.

There are five key stages involved in the Administration process, these are:

• Collecting assets
• Applying for probate
• Distributing assets
• Sending the beneficiary accounts showing how the assets were distributed

Do you need the Grant?

The Grant is not always necessary. In cases where the deceased had few assets of low value, it may not be necessary to obtain it. However, when dealing with a more complex estate that has high value assets having the Grant is necessary.

If you are not sure whether or not you need a Grant or not, you should speak to one of our specialists. They can help you determine if probate is needed based on factors like the amount of savings the deceased has, properties owned, shares and stocks and other assets that may make the distribution more complicated.

Getting legal advice from our team here at Roythornes can help you to make the right choice for your unique case.

How long does it take to obtain the Grant?

The time it takes will be dependent on how complex the estate is, whether there is inheritance tax to pay, if a challenge is raised with regards to the estate or if any disputes arise.  Without any issues, the application for the Grant will take 16 weeks from the date of submission to the Probate Registry.

Why choose Roythornes’ Grant of Probate Solicitors?

At Roythornes, we are proud of our highly skilled Estate Administration Team. They have extensive knowledge of matters involving Grants and Estate Administration and can successfully guide our clients throughout the entire process.

Our team understand how difficult the loss of someone is and will provide sensitive and understanding guidance to all of our clients.

Roythornes is proud to be Lexcel accredited by the Law Society due to the high standards of our practice management and client care. We have also received the Customer Service Excellence award.

Our offices in Nottingham, Alconbury, Peterborough, Birmingham and Spalding can provide a professional yet compassionate service to help you manage probate matters as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Get in touch with our Estates Administration Team today

For further information about wills and probate, get in touch with our Solicitors in Alconbury, Peterborough, Spalding, Nottingham or Birmingham.