Probates and Estates Solicitors

Probate and estate

When you lose someone close to you, it can be hard to deal with the emotional loss. But there are practical steps that need to be taken, as well as paperwork to be completed, and this can add to the trauma.

At Eric Robinson, our expert probate Solicitors will be sensitive to the challenges you’re facing and will professionally and sympathetically deal with the legal formalities of the probate process from start to finish.

What is probate?

Probate refers to the process where probate Solicitors implement the terms of a deceased person’s Will and distribute their possessions in accordance with their wishes.

The process will involve one of our probate Solicitors applying to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Probate.

To obtain a Grant of Probate, the Probate Registry will need to be advised whether inheritance tax is payable. Following the issue of the Grant any debts owing by the estate will be settled by the probate Solicitors, and then the remaining assets and property will be distributed to the beneficiaries.

The probate Solicitors at Eric Robinson are fully authorised and regulated specialists in Estate administration involving Wills and the rules of intestacy. Whether you are an executor named in a Will, or a recently bereaved family member needing advice on what to do next or where to find potential Wills, contact our probate Solicitors today for a fixed fee quote in respect of our services.

When is probate required?

There are a couple of scenarios in which a probate is required:

• Firstly, where the deceased has made a valid Will, the Executors nominated in that Will are required to make an application for a Grant of Probate. The Grant of Probate formally appoints the Executors to administer estate.

• Secondly, where a person has died without leaving a valid Will, the next of kin or other close relatives of the deceased will be required to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration. Once Letters of Administration have been granted the Intestacy Rules determine how the estate is to be divided.

However, it is sometimes possible to deal with an estate without a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. This will depend upon the value of the assets held by the deceased, and generally speaking this exemption is only available to low value estates.

How long does probate take?

The process of securing a Grant of Probate will usually take 6 to 12 months. Exact timings will differ on a case-by-case basis.  Sometimes larger Estates can take longer because there are a greater number of assets to deal with.  Equally, there can also be complexities where Estates have less assets and a lower value.  Our probate Solicitors will always provide you with an estimate of the likely time frames at the outset of your matter.

How can our probate Solicitors help?

Our specialist probate Solcitors offer advice on probate and estate administration while listening to what is most important to you.

At Eric Robinson, our professional probate Solicitors will assist you with locating Wills, ascertaining whether a full Grant is required, dealing with a bank and any relevant financial services institutions, arranging valuations, settling any liabilities, and dealing with the distribution of the deceased’s personal possessions. We will also give you important advice on any tax implications, and we can set up trusts and deal with variations to Wills after death.