Probate is the official process that begins when someone passes away, leaving behind a will and some assets like property, money or belongings. If you're named as the executor in the will, your job is to make sure everything is distributed according to the deceased person's wishes. Before you can start, the will has to be verified by a court as legitimate. Once that's done, you're given a ‘grant of probate’, which is permission to carry out the instructions in the will. Our team can help guide you through all the steps to get that grant.

Dealing with probate can feel like a massive juggling act. You have to contact banks, financial companies and pension providers, work out the value of the estate, calculate whether any Inheritance Tax is due, speak to HMRC and claim any tax exemptions, and coordinate with the court to make the will official. And that's just scratching the surface. It can be a lot to handle, especially when you're also coping with the emotional side of losing someone close to you.

Many people feel daunted at the thought of navigating this process alone. If you're the executor, it’s your responsibility to make sure the instructions of the will are followed. If something goes awry, or if you don't follow the proper procedures, you're the one who could end up facing some legal trouble. You're not just handling paperwork - you're shouldering a big responsibility.

That's why getting professional advice isn't just a good idea - it's essential. Our probate team can break down the probate process for you, step by step, so you know exactly what needs doing, when and how. We're not just about making things clear - our focus is on giving you the confidence to carry out your duties as an executor without second-guessing every move.

We're in your corner, offering expert advice so you can fulfil your role effectively and without stress.

A grant of probate is an official document that says you're the person who's allowed to sort out someone's affairs after they've passed away. If you've been named as the executor in the will, this document gives you the legal power to deal with the person's money, property and belongings, which together make up their estate.

Whether you need this grant or not depends on what's in the estate. If we're talking about a small amount of money and personal belongings, then you might not need one. But if there's property, like a house, or a large sum of money in bank accounts, then you're probably going to need a grant of probate to show you've got the right to access these things.

Getting a grant of probate also keeps things above board. It means you're officially allowed to collect the estate's assets, pay off any debts, and then distribute what's left to the people named in the will. Without it, you could run into problems down the line, like not being able to sell a property or release funds from a bank. So it's better to know upfront if you'll need one to avoid any problems later on.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. The length of time it takes to wrap up probate can vary a lot depending on what's involved. If it's a straightforward case with no property to sell and a simple will, it could take a few months. But if the estate is more complicated with multiple properties or investments, or there are disagreements between family members, it could take a year or even longer.

Getting the grant of probate is usually the first step, and that alone can take a few weeks to a couple of months. After that, you'll need to gather assets, pay off any debts, and handle taxes, which can add more time. If you're selling property as part of the estate, the timing will also depend on how quickly the sale goes through. So there's quite a bit to juggle, and it can take time to get everything sorted.

But remember, you don't have to figure it all out on your own. Professional advice can help you understand what needs to be done and give you a better idea of how long it'll take. And if you're worried about getting it wrong, getting expert help can also make the process smoother and faster.