Probate & Estate Administration solicitors

Grant of Probate – the first steps in administering an estate

When someone passes, the executors are responsible for dealing with their affairs, managing and distributing the estate according to their wishes – a process that can sometimes be overwhelming.

In many cases, applying for a Grant of Probate, which typically takes between six and twelve months, is the first formal step. It unlocks access to bank accounts, allows debts to be settled and ensures any inheritance tax liability to be paid in full. There may also be property to sell, a business to wind down or complex assets to manage along the way.

If someone dies without leaving a will – known as dying ‘intestate’ – responsibility for distributing their estate falls to the closest living relative. They can apply to become the administrator of the estate through a specific Grant known as Grant of Letters of Administration.

Whatever the circumstances, our probate solicitors are here to carry the legal weight, so you can focus on what matters most.

Estate administration services – the right support at each stage

The weight of an executor’s responsibilities depends entirely on the estate itself. A modest estate with straightforward assets can be relatively simple to administer. A larger one involving multiple properties, investments, overseas assets or a family business brings considerably more complexity, and the stakes of getting it wrong are high.

From obtaining the Grant of Probate and managing tax obligations to dealing with creditors, transferring assets and making distributions to beneficiaries, every step of the administration process carries a legal and financial load. Our estate administration can support you with as much or as little as you need.

Whatever the size or shape of the estate, our estate administration services provide the right level of support at every stage. We can help you to carry out your duties with confidence, at the most difficult of times.

What’s the most challenging part of an Executor’s role?

When taking on executor responsibilities, few people appreciate the extent of what’s involved until you’re in the thick of it. Executors can be held personally liable for mistakes made during administration, which makes professional support not just helpful but genuinely important to have in place.

By the time Grant of Probate is received, bills may have been mounting, assets can be difficult to locate and liaising with HMRC over inheritance tax adds further pressure. Even the smallest tasks carry emotional burden – something as routine as a letter arriving in a loved one’s name can cause real distress, and the steady stream of notifications, closures and correspondence falls largely on the executor’s shoulders.

Our probate and estate administration solicitors’ step in to manage that burden directly, handling the detail with accuracy and care so you are never left navigating it alone.