Probate & the Estate Administration Process
Losing someone close to you is incredibly difficult, and it’s important to give yourself time and space to grieve. While the emotional journey is personal, there are also practical steps that need to be taken to manage your loved one’s affairs.
Here’s a short guide to help you navigate the process:
1. Register the death
If you haven’t already, reagister the death and obtain a death certificate from the Registry. In some circumstances, the death certificate may not be ready. Instead, the Registry will give you an ‘Interim Death Certificate’.
2. Arrange the Funeral
Begin by contacting a funeral director to help plan the service in line with your loved one’s wishes, if known.
3. Locate the Will
If you don’t have a copy of the Will, the first step is check if one exists. Look in places at home, such as in their desk, a safe, or a filing cabinet. Sometimes the original is stored with solicitors, so keep an eye out for any letters referring to a Will as well. You may also decide to order a search through the National Will Register.
If your loved one left a Will, it will guide you in how to manage the estate. If there is no Will, the estate will be handled under the rules of intestacy. You can find more information on intestacy here.
4. Use the Tell Us Once Service
This government service allows you to notify multiple departments of the death in one go, including HMRC, DWP, and the Passport Office. They will then be in touch to confirm if there are any outstanding matters that need to be dealt with.
5. Consider Inheritance Tax
Depending on the value of the estate, inheritance tax may be payable. This is something that needs to be assessed immediately and submitted to HMRC without delay. Payments made after the deadline are subject to interest. HMRC may also issue a fine for applications submitted late.
6. Apply for Probate
Probate gives you legal authority to manage the estate and access your loved one’s accounts. If there is a Will, the named executors apply for a Grant of Probate. If there is no Will, then the next of kin apply for Letters of Administration.
It can take up to 16 weeks from the date of your application for the Grant/Letters to be issued.
7. Administer the Estate
Once probate is granted, you can begin closing bank and investment accounts, selling property, and settling any debts.
8. Distribute to Beneficiaries
After all liabilities are settled, the remaining assets can be distributed to the beneficiaries of the Will or according to the rules of intestacy.
This process can take time, typically 9 to 12 months for straightforward estates. We understand how overwhelming it can feel, especially while grieving.
We can help
We can take care of the entire probate & estate administration process for you. You will have peace of mind knowing that everything is being handled with care, professionalism, and in accordance with your loved one’s wishes. We’re here to make sure nothing is missed and that the estate is managed with the respect and attention that it deserves.
Contact us for a free initial chat to discuss your circumstances and how we can support you.