Probate Matters – Dealing with an estate

Dealing with the estate of a loved one is a difficult process, especially at such a sad time. Before you begin, you will need to find out whether or not the person left a valid Will. You can start by telephoning any solicitors in the area to see if they have a record of acting for the deceased. If you can only find a photocopy, then it may be that a bank, solicitor or one of the Executors is holding the original to ensure that it is safe.

Assuming that a valid Will can be located, then the deceased’s assets must be dealt with as stipulated in the Will. A Probate Solicitor can advise you as to whether or not the Will is valid.

One or more of the Executors in the Will then needs to apply for permission to deal with their assets. This is done by applying to the Probate Registry (“Grant of Probate”).   Alternatively, if there is no Will, then the person has died “intestate” and an application has to be made to the Court for “Letters of Administration”.

You can apply yourself or you can use a Probate Solicitor to do so. Some people feel confident and able to deal with the completion of forms and some do not. At an already difficult time, you may feel that you would like to pass the responsibility for dealing with the probate application to someone experienced and knowledgeable in such matters.

If there are a lot of assets, then it is better to use a Probate Solicitor to help with the process, particularly as a Tax Form must be completed to see whether or not Inheritance Tax must be paid (Form IHT205).  When the estate involves stocks, shares, investments and pensions, completing the Tax Form is often quite complex and a Probate Solicitor would be best placed to help you in completion and calculation of the tax due.

At Paul J Watson, Solicitors in Middlesbrough, we offer knowledgeable and professional advice, at a reasonable cost to everyone. Whatever your concerns or circumstances, our Probate Solicitor, Stacey Phoenix, would be happy to offer a free initial consultation to you, either over the telephone or in an appointment. Should you be housebound, then our Probate Solicitor could arrange to come and see you at your home.

Please feel free to call our Probate Solicitor for qualified, reliable and specialist advice on 01642 293427.

Alternatively, complete our Contact Form , providing your contact details and a brief outline of your case and we will contact you.