It can be a difficult time when you lose someone you love.
It can all feel too much to then try and deal with the administration of their estate. We offer support and can help you as much or as little as you need.
Our private client team offer legal expertise and an understanding approach to ensure the timely and smooth running of an estate from start to finish.
We can:
- Help you to apply for the Grant of Probate (if the deceased made a Will), or the Letters of Administration (if they did not make a Will).
- Calculate the amount of inheritance tax due on the estate and organise any payment to HMRC for you.
- Manage the entire estate administration process, including calculation of the value of the estate assets, application for the Grant, gathering in of assets, paying of liabilities and making distributions to the beneficiaries.
- Provide advice on the option of varying a Will, and drafting the Deed of Variation, if required.
Why instruct us?
We are specialists in advising on, and assisting with, the administration of an estate after someone’s death. Our team of experts will help to guide you through the sometimes complex issues you can face in these circumstances.
An executor is ultimately responsible for ensuring an estate is dealt with properly. This includes ensuring that taxation matters are dealt and ensuring that a person’s will is complied with. Our years of expertise mean you can take comfort in the knowledge that you will receive the best advice to ensure that those responsibilities are fully met.
Our value lies, not only ensuring that the estate is administered correctly, but also in ensuring that matters are progressed as quickly and efficiently as possible. We are also able to liaise with the beneficiaries and any other professionals who may be involved in the administration of the estate. In doing so, the risk that any distribution of the estate will be challenged by beneficiaries will be reduced and you can be assured that the estate will not pay any more tax than is absolutely necessary.
We are not the cheapest provider of probate services, nor do we wish or pretend to be. The administration of estates is a complex business and we will always ensure that you are fully aware of the costs involved in administering the estate. At the outset, we will provide you with the best estimate we can of the full costs which are likely to be incurred.
This will be based on the information available to us at that time. Unlike others, we do not believe in providing a low-estimate which we know to be unrealistic.
We understand that cost is always a consideration, and as an executor, you do need to consider costs at every stage. You should however remember that the cost of timely and expert advice can often far outweigh the tax that could be saved, for example, by the correct sequencing of asset disposals, advice upon Business and Agricultural Property Reliefs and the use of Deeds of variation.
You should also be aware that not all probate services are provided by regulated and qualified advisers. At Arnold Greenwood your matter will be handled by a suitably qualified solicitor who will guide you through the process.
Our team of experts can advise you with all estates, whether they are simple or complex.
If someone you know has died and you would like help dealing with their estate, please do get in touch. We are here to help.