Probate and Estate Administration
If you have suffered the loss of a relative and are responsible for handling their estate, JMW Solicitors can help to make the probate and estate administration process as stress-free as possible for you.
Our team has a wealth of experience in dealing with these types of matters; from relatively small and simple estates to more complex, high-valued estates, including international estates. We are dedicated to providing a professional service and our wider knowledge of tax and succession planning enables us to go above and beyond.
How JMW Can Help
Our team of expert solicitors has experience in handling cases involving all aspects of probate and estate administration. Some examples of our services include:
When you are named as the executor of an estate in a will, we can help you in applying for the Grant of Probate, which gives you the legal authority to deal with the deceased’s estate. If the individual did not leave a will, we can guide you through the process of applying to become an administrator of the estate. We also have the ability to perform the role of the executor of the will or administrator of an estate if appointed by the appropriate person under a general power of attorney. We may have alread been appointed to act as an executor by the deceased person.
Other duties that our specialist solicitors cover include:
- Calculating the Inheritance Tax liability of an estate
- Identifying and completing the appropriate Inheritance Tax forms to report the position to HMRC
- Identifying and completing the relevant probate application to obtain the grant from the Probate Registry in order to administer the estate
- Maintaining detailed estate accounts that document the assets and liabilities as well as the money in and out of the estate throughout the administration process
- Identifying and settling any estate liabilities
- Collecting estate funds and assets and distributing these to the appropriate beneficiaries
- Links to companies who can provide useful services during the administration process, such as vacant property insurance, missing asset or will searches and property clearance services
- Advising in relation to the mechanics of trust structures
In addition to the initial probate process, we can also assist with probate disputes.
Meet Our Team of Probate & Estate Administration Solicitors
Our team provides expert guidance with probate and estate administration, helping you manage the estate of a loved one after their passing.
Case Study
Why Choose JMW?
Our wills, trusts, tax and succession planning solicitors are prepared to offer advice on any aspect of the estate administration process. For more than 50 years, JMW Solicitors has worked with clients from all different backgrounds, in and out of the UK. We understand what it means to handle your estate - our team’s wide experience makes us a reliable choice when it comes to handling large sums of money and valuable property.
Due to our successes, JMW has been recognised by The Legal 500; our department has played a key role in achieving this. We will work closely with you to bring you the best possible service that is highly tailored to your needs and goals.
FAQs About Probate & Estate Administration
- What does an administrator of an estate do?
When a person dies without a will, there are rules that determine who is entitled to act as administrator ane be responsible for dealing with the deceased’s estate. Their responsibilities include identifying any outstanding debts of the estate and settling these with available cash within the estate. An administrator has the same responsibilities as an executor of an estate, who is appointed by virtue of a will.
JMW offers a full administration of estates service, regardless of whether the deceased has a will or not. From obtaining details of the assets and liabilities of the estate and obtaining the grant to distributing the estate in accordance with the terms of the will or the Intestacy Rules. We can take all the paperwork and hassle off your hands to ensure the estate is administered correctly and efficiently.
- What is a Deed of Variation?
If you have inherited from an estate under a will or theIntestacy Ruleswithin the last two years, you have the ability to vary what happens to your inheritance by way of a Deed of Variation. You may wish to redirect your inheritance to someone else or implement some succession planning to reduce your Inheritance Tax liability on your estate. The effect of the Deed of Variation is that the gift is treated as it was made by the deceased, which can be beneficial for tax purposes. Read more about Deeds of Variationhere.
- What is a Grant of Probate?
A Grant of Probate known as a Grant of Letters of Administration in cases where there is no will is an official document that, depending on the assets within an estate, will be required for an executor/administrator to legally administer an estate.
Should you require assistance in obtaining the grant and not in the subsequent administration process, JMW offers a fixed-fee service to complete the necessary Inheritance Tax forms and probate application to obtain the grant. This will then enable you to deal with the less technical aspects of the estate administration process yourself.
Find out more about probate here.
Talk to Us
If you are looking for a wills, trusts or estate planning solicitor, get in touch with JMW’s approachable, experienced team today. Simply call us on 0345 872 6666 or fill in our online enquiry form to request a callback.
