Probate & estate management

After someone dies, their property, money, possessions and other assets need to be managed and distributed. This is known as probate, the legal process that gives someone the authority to deal with the estate of the person who has died.

The estate includes everything they owned, such as property, savings, investments and personal belongings, and the process ensures these are handled and distributed according to the will, or according to the law if no will exists. Depending on the value of the estate and how assets were owned, probate may be required before these matters can be finalised. Managing an estate can involve a number of responsibilities, including contacting organisations, valuing assets, settling debts and ensuring everything is distributed correctly. Because the person responsible can be held accountable for any mistakes, many families choose to seek professional advice and support during this process.

If you would like us to, our Bereavement Support Team can call you to offer free support and guidance. They can help you understand your loved one’s estate, probate, things to consider and the next steps to take.

Experienced probate specialists can guide you through the process or, if you prefer, take responsibility for managing the estate on your behalf. This can include obtaining the grant of probate and handling the legal, tax, property and administrative work involved.

The Bereavement Support Team will provide a free initial consultation, discuss your circumstances, give access to a free online tool to assess if probate is required and provide a no-obligation written quotation outlining the costs.

Each estate is different, but administering an estate may include tasks such as:

• Notifying organisations and financial institutions of the death
• Applying for the grant of probate (if required)
• Identifying and collecting assets within the estate
• Valuing property, savings and possessions
• Calculating and paying any inheritance tax, income tax or other liabilities
• Settling outstanding debts
• Selling property or other assets where necessary
• Identifying and contacting beneficiaries
• Preparing estate accounts
• Distributing the estate according to the will or under the rules of intestacy if no will exists

We can arrange for our Bereavement Support Team to contact you to begin this process.