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Losing someone you care about is hard enough without the added stress of dealing with legal paperwork and financial matters. Whether you’re an executor named in a will or a family member trying to work out what happens next, our probate solicitors are here to help. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, handling as much or as little as you need.
Get a free, no-obligation chat with our wills and probate team, call us on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
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When someone dies, their estate needs to be sorted out properly. That means gathering their assets, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing what’s left to the right people. This process is called probate, and while it might sound straightforward, it can quickly become complicated.
Our probate solicitors have helped countless families through this process. We understand that you’re dealing with grief at an already difficult time, and the last thing you need is confusing legal jargon or endless delays. That’s why we focus on clear communication, keeping you informed at every stage, and moving things along as quickly as possible.
Whether the estate is simple or complex, whether there’s a valid will or not, we can help. You’ll work directly with an experienced solicitor who knows your case inside out, and we’ll give you honest advice about your options, what things will cost, and how long everything is likely to take.
Ready for a free, no-obligation chat? Contact us today on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after they’ve died. It involves:
Obtaining legal authority: Before you can deal with someone’s assets, you will almost always need to prove that you are entitled to do so. If there’s a valid will, the executor(s) named in the will applies for a Grant of Probate. If there’s no will, a close relative applies for Letters of Administration. For either type of application, the submission will have to be made to the Probate Registry, which is a division of the High Court.
Valuing the estate: You need to identify and value everything the deceased owned, including property, bank accounts, investments, and personal possessions. You also need to identify any debts they owed.
Paying taxes and debts: If inheritance tax is due, it usually needs to be paid before probate is granted. Outstanding debts, including mortgages and credit cards, must be settled from the estate.
Distributing assets: Once everything is sorted, you can distribute what’s left to the beneficiaries named in the will, or according to the rules of intestacy if there’s no will.
The probate process can take anywhere from a few months to well over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate and whether any disputes arise.
Before you can access bank accounts, sell property, or distribute assets, you’ll need a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there’s no will). We handle the entire application process, preparing all the necessary forms, dealing with HMRC, and liaising with the Probate Registry on your behalf.
If you’d rather hand everything over to us, we can manage the entire process from start to finish. We’ll value the estate, collect in assets, pay debts and taxes, prepare estate accounts, and distribute the inheritance to beneficiaries. You can focus on what matters while we handle the legal and administrative work.
Estates above certain thresholds need to submit detailed inheritance tax returns to HMRC. Getting this wrong can mean penalties or paying more tax than necessary. Our probate solicitors prepare accurate IHT returns, claim all available reliefs and exemptions, and make sure everything is submitted correctly.
When someone dies without leaving a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy. This can lead to outcomes that wouldn’t have been what the deceased wanted. We guide administrators through the process and help families understand who’s entitled to inherit.
Some estates are more complicated than others. This might be because of business interests, property abroad, trusts, or simply a high value. Our team has experience handling complex estates and working with tax advisers, accountants, and international lawyers where needed.
Many estates include property that needs to be sold or transferred to beneficiaries. We can deal with the conveyancing, ensuring that the handling of the property matters proceeds efficiently, minimising delays and making sure everything is done properly.
You’ll usually need to apply for probate if the deceased:
You might not need probate if:
We can quickly assess your situation and tell you whether probate is needed and what the process will involve.
This is one of the most common questions we get asked, and the honest answer is: it depends.
Straightforward estates with no property to sell, no inheritance tax complications, and cooperative beneficiaries can often be completed in three to six months.
Average estates typically take six to twelve months. This allows time to obtain the grant, collect assets, and distribute the estate properly.
Complex estates involving property sales, a duty to pay inheritance tax, overseas assets, or disputes can take twelve months or longer. We’ll give you a realistic estimate based on your specific circumstances.
What causes delays?
We keep things moving as quickly as possible and will always let you know if something is causing a delay.
We believe in being upfront about costs. Nobody wants a nasty surprise when they’re already dealing with a difficult situation.
Our approach to legal fees:
We treat every estate individually and will give you an estimate that is as clear as possible based on our experience. For straightforward estates, we often offer an estimate that will give you a very good idea of what you’re paying from the start. For more complex matters, we charge by the hour and provide detailed estimates before any work begins. Either way, we’ll explain our fees clearly, along with the probate value.
What affects probate costs?
We’ll give you a full breakdown of expected costs, and probate fees, during your initial consultation.
Choosing a law firm is a big decision. You want experts who actually get you and your organisation, respond when you need them, and give you straight answers. That’s us. We’re one of Wales’ leading commercial law firms, and we do things a little differently.
You won’t be passed through layers of gatekeepers here. When you call, you’ll speak to the solicitor handling your matter. You’ll have their direct contact details and a genuine working relationship. Our clients tell us this makes all the difference, especially during a difficult time.
We don’t work in silos. Our team shares knowledge across departments, jumps in on each other’s projects, and stays close to every case. So if your usual contact is unavailable, someone else can step in quickly, without a formal handover and without missing a beat. Better continuity for you, and faster results all round.
Devolved decision-making and flexible working hours mean we can move at pace. You’ll get faster responses, even outside regular office hours. Need an urgent answer about an estate matter? We’re set up for exactly that.
Getting to know our clients properly matters to us. Face-to-face meetings, regular catch-ups, and genuine personal service. We bring clients into our offices, get out to visit yours if needed, and put real effort into building lasting relationships. Plenty of larger firms aren’t prepared to do that. We are.
You’ll always get the full picture from us. Clear options, each with its own risk level and cost implications, so you can make informed decisions. No sugar-coating, no hedging. Just practical guidance and high-quality legal work at a fair price.
We’re the leading commercial law firm with offices in South and North Wales offering Welsh language legal services at every level, from trainees right through to partners. This isn’t an add-on or a tick-box exercise. It’s part of who we are. If you need a solicitor who can work fluently in Welsh, you’ll find that expertise right across our team.
Regular, honest communication is something we take seriously. You’ll receive updates at key stages, and we’ll always let you know if there’s a delay or if something needs your attention. You’ll never be left wondering where things stand.
The first step is registering the death and obtaining a death certificate (a legal document that certifies the death of an individual). You’ll also need to locate the original will (if there is one), gather information about the deceased’s assets and debts, and identify all beneficiaries.
Before you can apply for probate, you need to know what the estate is worth. This means valuing property, bank accounts, investments, personal possessions, and any other assets. You also need to identify any debts owed by the deceased.
If inheritance tax is due, you will need to complete IHT forms for HMRC. For taxable estates, the tax (or at least some of it) typically needs to be paid before probate can be granted.
We prepare and submit the probate application on your behalf. This includes the application form, inheritance tax forms, and the original will. The Probate Registry currently takes around 16 weeks to process straightforward applications.
Once you have the grant, you can start collecting in the estate’s assets. This might involve closing bank accounts, selling investments, and dealing with property. You’ll also need to pay any outstanding debts.
Before distributing the estate, you should prepare final accounts showing what came in, what went out, and what’s left for beneficiaries. This protects you as executor and ensures transparency. The accounts can also be required by the High Court to demonstrate that the estate was administered correctly.
Finally, you can distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy rules. We’ll help you make sure this is done correctly so you’re protected from future claims.
Professional, concise, proactive and efficient. Just what I wanted. My past experience with solicitors, in a professional capacity has not been great, so it has been a refreshing change. Chris Wood
Probate is the legal process of dealing with a person’s estate after they die. It involves getting legal authority to access their assets, valuing what they owned, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing what’s left to the people entitled to inherit. The term “probate” specifically refers to estates where there’s a valid will, though people often use it to describe the whole process regardless of whether there’s a will or not.
You’re not legally required to use a solicitor, but it’s often a good idea. Probate involves complex forms, strict deadlines, and potential tax implications. Getting something wrong can be costly and stressful. A solicitor can save you time, reduce your personal liability as executor, and make sure the estate is administered correctly. We can handle everything for you, or just help with specific parts of the process.
Probate costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate. The court fee is currently £300. Solicitors’ fees depend on how much work is involved. We’re always transparent about costs and will give you a clear estimate before starting any work. We won’t charge anything without your agreement.
Most estates take between six and twelve months to administer. Straightforward cases can be quicker, while complex estates with property sales, inheritance tax, or disputes can take longer. The Probate Registry currently takes around 16 weeks to process applications once submitted. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe based on your specific circumstances.
Probate is usually required if the deceased owned property in their sole name, had bank accounts or investments above certain thresholds, or owned shares. You might not need probate if everything was owned jointly, the estate is very small, or all assets are held in trust. We can quickly assess whether probate is needed in your situation.
If someone dies without a valid will, they’ve died “intestate.” Their estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which set out who inherits based on family relationships. A close relative who is entitled to receive an inheritance can apply for Letters of Administration to deal with the estate. The rules of intestacy might not match what the deceased would have wanted, which is why making a will is so important.
Executors are responsible for administering the estate according to the will. This includes securing the deceased’s property, valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, preparing estate accounts, and distributing the inheritance to beneficiaries. Executors can be personally liable if they get things wrong, which is why many choose to instruct a solicitor.
Unless the will specifically allows it, executors aren’t normally entitled to payment for their time. Professional executors (like solicitors) can charge for their services if named in the will. Executors can claim back reasonable expenses incurred while administering the estate, such as travel costs and postage.
Inheritance tax is a tax on the estate of someone who has died. It’s charged at 40% on the value above the nil-rate band(s) available (currently £325,000, or up to £500,000 if you leave your home to direct descendants or £1,000,000 if you are the surviving spouse/civil partner and you inherited your spouse’s/civil partner’s entire estate). There are various exemptions and reliefs that can reduce or eliminate the tax. Inheritance tax usually needs to be paid before probate is granted, though arrangements can sometimes be made to pay from the estate.
Yes. People can challenge how an estate is being administered or dispute the validity of a will. Common grounds include lack of mental capacity, undue influence, fraud, or failure to make reasonable provision for dependants. If you’re concerned about a potential challenge, or if you think an estate is being mismanaged, we can advise you on your options.
If an executor is unable or unwilling to act, they can renounce their role. If there are other executors named in the will, they can continue. If there are no executors able to act, a beneficiary can apply for Letters of Administration with Will Annexed. We can help navigate these situations.
Yes. Executors should place statutory legal notices in The Gazette and a local newspaper to protect themselves from unknown creditors. If you distribute the estate without doing this and a creditor later comes forward, you could be personally liable. We recommend this as part of our standard probate service.
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We’re happy to meet clients at either office, arrange home visits where appropriate, or work by video call if that’s more convenient for you during a difficult time.
Dealing with probate while grieving is never easy. Our probate solicitors are here to take the burden off your shoulders, handling the legal and administrative work so you can focus on what matters.
Whether you need us to manage everything from start to finish or just help with specific parts of the process, we’ll give you clear, practical guidance and keep you informed every step of the way.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat to discuss your situation and how we can help.
Call us on 02920 829 100 or use our Contact us form.
To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.
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