When somebody dies, their Will is used to administer their estate to all named heirs and beneficiaries.
Probate is the name given to this legal process.
We understand how distressing Probate can be for executors and surviving family members. Our specialist probate services can help families, spouses, or partners deal with their loved one's estate as efficiently as possible.
Contact our team today to see how we can help. You can call 0207 936 6329 or email info@monangozzett.com.
Stages Of Probate
There are five basic stages to the probate process.
These include:
- collecting together assets and monies
- valuing all the assets
- applying for Probate
- distributing the bequests in the Will
- drawing up accounts showing how the estate was distributed
Probate can typically take between 9 – 12 months to complete.
However, the time frames are always flexible, depending on how complicated the individual process is. For example, Probate could be delayed if a beneficiary contests a will.
Benefits Of Professional Probate & Estate Administration Services
If someone has died and you are appointed as Executor, the task can often seem daunting.
You will owe numerous legal duties and responsibilities to beneficiaries, the Probate Registry, and HMRC, amongst others.
You will only be entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses (not your time), and you can be personally liable for any losses.
A professional probate service can help shoulder this responsibility. taking on the necessary administrative and legal requirements while keeping you updated throughout the process.
Why Choose Monan Gozzett?
At Monan Gozzett LLP, we will use our specialist expertise to guide you through the process in an empathetic but efficient manner.
At the outset, we will establish how much help you need, providing a realistic estimate of the time it will take to administer the estate and the costs involved.
We have particular experience in:
- Securing and tracing assets.
- Instructing appropriate valuers to generate valuations acceptable to HMRC’s Inheritance Tax section.
- Claiming allowances and exemptions to reduce the Inheritance Tax bill.
- Negotiating values with HMRC, especially where assets have increased in value after the date of death.
- Managing the expectations of beneficiaries, including the enhanced requirements of charities.
- Preparing Deeds of Variation to minimise tax liabilities and maximise estate planning opportunities for beneficiaries.
Contact our Private Client team
If you want more information about our probate services, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Private Client team.
With offices in Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, London and Yorkshire, we are able to arrange virtual or face-to-face meetings with clients. Find out more about our office locations.
We have listed some commonly asked questions below. Still, if you have any further queries, you can contact our team of probate solicitors by phone on 0207 936 6329, by Email or by completing our Quick Contact Form below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Probate And Estate Administration Services
What is a grant of probate?
A grant of Probate is a legal document that's sometimes required to help administer a Will after someone has died.
It essentially gives a named person (usually the executor or executors) legal authority to deal with the estate of the person who died.
Once Probate has been granted, the next of kin or the Executor can start to deal with the deceased person's assets.
How long does probate take?
Probate can typically take anywhere between 9-12 months. However, it can sometimes take longer if there are any complications. For example, there might be a property to sell, complex Inheritance, Income or Capital Gains Tax affairs to resolve, or a beneficiary might contest the Will.
Our team of probate solicitors will keep you updated with progress throughout the legal process, liaising with all relevant financial institutions on your behalf, including HM Revenue & Customs, HM Court Service, and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Do I need a probate solicitor?
It is perfectly legal – and achievable – to deal with probate yourself.
However, we would advise that, should you choose to do this, you ensure that you’re familiar with the legal process and confident in completing all the required tasks. DIY Probate is very time-consuming and can be very complex.
You could also be personally and financially liable if you make any mistakes.
For these reasons, many people choose to instruct a probate solicitor to do this work for them.
Is probate required if there is a Will?
The short answer is, 'it depends'. The presence of a Will or not, does not determine whether a Grant of Probate is required. That largely depends on the type of assets that are within the estate and the value of these. Read more about the necessity of probate in our blog.
If you would like to speak to our expert legal team about this, or any related subject then please contact our team by phone on 0207 936 6329, Email or by completing our Quick Contact Form below.