How can a solicitor help me with probate?

A solicitor can help you with probate in several ways, including: Advising on the probate process A solicitor can advise you on the legal process of obtaining probate, including the requirements and procedures for obtaining a grant of probate or letters of administration, as well as any legal formalities that must be followed. Gathering and submitting the necessary documents A […]

What is my job as the executor of a will?

As an executor of a will, your main responsibilities are to: Locate and secure the assets You will need to locate and secure the assets of the deceased, including property, bank accounts, investments, and personal possessions. Pay debts and taxes You are responsible for paying any debts and taxes that the deceased owed, including any outstanding mortgages, credit card balances, […]

The steps you need to take after a bereavement

If a family member dies, there are several legal steps that may need to be taken: Register the death The death must be registered with the local Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). The death certificate will be needed to settle the estate and claim benefits. Arrange the funeral The executor of the […]

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering a person’s estate after they have died. This includes gathering and valuing the assets of the deceased, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries of the estate, according to the terms of the will or the state’s laws of intestacy. Probate is typically handled by the executors […]

Is it possible to track a probate application?

Yes, it is possible to track a probate application in the UK. The UK’s HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) offers an online service called the Probate Tracking System that allows you to track the progress of your probate application. To use the service, you will need to provide the case number for your probate application and the name of […]

How do I apply for a grant of probate in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, applying for a grant of probate (also known as a grant of representation) is a legal process that is required in order to administer the estate of a deceased person. The process generally involves the following steps: Collecting the necessary documents: This includes the will of the deceased, if there is one, as well as information […]

What happens if I do not apply for probate?

When a person dies, probate is the process of administering their estate by organising their assets, money and possessions and then distributing them as per the terms of a will or in line with the rules of intestacy. To be able to start probate, an executor (the person who takes legal responsibility for carrying out the instructions of a will) […]

How to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

After a death, it is often necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration. This is the document that gives the deceased’s personal representatives legal authority to deal with their affairs and wind up their estate. If the deceased left a Will, it will name executors. These are the people who are responsible for […]

What Happens to Someone’s Bank Account When They Die?

When a person dies, the personal representative (PR) takes responsibility for the management of the deceased person’s estate which includes money, possessions and property and will also be responsible for the closure of bank accounts. If the PR has been named in a will they take on the role of the executor. How to find the bank account information of […]