Probate and Estates Service

When somebody dies, an executor is appointed to deal with the assets and liabilities of the deceased, and to administer these in line with the Will. This encompasses applying for probate, preparing estate tax returns and accounts, overseeing the distribution of assets and determining whether Inheritance Tax is payable.

This can be a difficult role, that carries significant responsibility, which is why many families turn to us for support.

A person who dies without a valid Will in place is known as ‘dying intestate’. This can make estate administration a bit more complicated because the rules of intestacy dictate who inherits.

An individual must apply for ‘letters of administration’ which will allow them to value the estate, pay any debts and distribute the estate in accordance with the law.

Our probate practitioners in Huntingdon, Biggleswade and Letchworth can assist you with whichever executor responsibilities you wish to entrust to us, including:

• Administering assets such as bank accounts, property and share portfolios
• Identifying assets and liabilities of the estate
• Distributing assets in accordance with the deceased’s Will, or according to the rules of intestacy
• Obtaining a Grant of Probate
• Preparing and submitting any outstanding personal tax returns up to the date of death
• Preparing estate tax returns and ensuring all outstanding tax liabilities of the estate are settled prior to distribution
• Preparing final estate accounts

We can also:

• Consider Deed of Variation opportunities
• Provide advice on tax planning opportunities for the estate and/or beneficiaries
• Provide ongoing Inheritance Tax and succession planning advice

Administer oaths

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to probate, given that every estate is different, so it is difficult to say exactly how much it will cost. It largely depends upon which duties we undertake, and which you choose to take on without support, how complex the estate is and how complete the information you provide to us is.

You will be entitled to an initial consultation, free of charge, during which we will discuss the estate, your requirements, an estimated fee and next steps. We operate a menu-based system, giving you freedom to tailor our services to your needs.

We are extremely cost-competitive and only charge for the work we undertake. We do not add on a percentage fee based on the value of the estate. Should anything arise that we did not previously anticipate, we will seek to discuss this with you at the earliest opportunity.

To give you an idea of our pricing structure, we have developed a number of short case studies covering different scenarios – click here to read more.