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Probate Guides
Applying for probate can be a Stressfull and Exhausting task, but our specialists are here to make it feel simple. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about going through probate and dealing with someone’s estate.
What is probate?
Probate (short for “grant of probate”) is a legal document that shows banks, the Land Registry, and other organisations that you have the authority to deal with someone’s estate. The process of getting probate usually takes 1-3 months.
Need help with probate?
Our friendly probate specialists are here to help you and can offer information and a free, no-obligation quote over the phone.
When is probate required?
Probate is usually required if the estate of the person who died is worth more than £10,000. However, if most of the assets in the estate were jointly owned, probate may not be needed at all.
Do I need probate if my husband or wife dies?
You may need probate if your husband or wife dies and leaves behind assets that aren’t jointly owned with you. However, if you’re the joint owner of their property and bank accounts, probate may not be required.
After losing a loved one, you may need to apply for probate before you can deal with their estate, but only specific people can handle the probate application. Here, we’ll look at who can apply and how you can get started today.
How long does probate take?
Probate usually takes 1-3 months depending on the complexity of the estate. It can then take up to 6 months to close accounts, sell the property and pay taxes.
What information do you need before applying for probate?
Before applying for probate, you’ll need to gather details about your loved one’s estate. Here, we’ll cover what you need, why, and how you can find it – and we’ve also got a free probate checklist to help you keep track of everything.
How to get a death certificate?
In order to get a death certificate, you need to register the death in a local register office. It’s free to register the death, but you’ll need to pay £11 for each copy of the death certificate.
How to compare probate services and prices
Before choosing your probate provider, it’s worth shopping around to find the best service at the best possible price. Here, we’ll look at the main things you need to look out for when comparing probate services in England and Wales.
What are letters of administration?
Letters of administration (also known as “grant of letters of administration”) is a document issued by the probate registry. This allows someone to act as the administrator of an estate after someone has died.
What does the probate registry do?
The probate registry is responsible for handling probate applications in the UK. Once an application has been approved, the probate registry will issue a grant of representation to either the executor or administrator of the estate.
DIY probate: how to deal with someone's estate without paying expensive solicitor fees
Dealing with probate can be an expensive process. But by closing accounts, selling the property, and distributing assets yourself, you could save thousands in probate solicitor fees.
How do you get a grant of representation?
A grant of representation is a document that allows you to deal with someone’s estate. To get one, you need to collect up information about their estate, fill out a form and submit an application to the probate registry.
How to find a probate solicitor
You can find a probate solicitor near you by searching locally online or in telephone directories. Or, if you would prefer to sort out probate over the phone, you could use our nationwide probate service.
How can you get probate without a will?
To get probate without a will, you need to apply for a grant of letters of administration. This allows the next of kin to access the estate and distribute assets in line with the rules of intestacy, which we’ll explain in more detail here.
How do you find a will?
You can usually find someone’s will with other important financial documents, such as bank statements and pension information. If you can’t find it in their house, you could search online to see if the will is recorded on the National Will Register.
What are the duties of an executor? Executor of will checklist
An executor of a will is responsible for dealing with the estate of the person who died. This includes valuing the estate, selling property, closing accounts, paying off debts, and distributing assets to the beneficiaries named in the will.
What is a deed of variation: Can you change someone's will after their death
A deed of variation allows you to change someone’s will after their death. This can be a good way to minimise the amount of inheritance tax that needs to be paid, but it’s essential that all the beneficiaries agree before any changes can be made.
Estate valuation. How to value a house and other assets for probate
To value a house for probate, it’s usually best to hire an RICS property surveyor, especially if the estate’s value is close to or above the inheritance tax threshold. For bank accounts and other assets, you can usually contact the organisations directly.
What happens to debt when someone dies?
When someone dies with outstanding debt, it needs to be repaid from the estate before beneficiaries can get their inheritance. If there isn’t enough money in the estate to pay it off, the debt is simply written off.
Probate Bank Thresholds
When someone unfortunately dies, their bank will need to be notified and their bank accounts will need to be closed. A legal document called a grant of probate is sometimes required by a bank to do this. However, most banks will release funds if the amount held is less than their threshold
Islamic Marriage And Probate
The question of a person(s) legal rights in the UK arises when a couple gets married in an Islamic Marriage Ceremony and then one of the couple then passes away.
We will examine, how probate is gained and what impact it has on thousands of couples here in the UK.
The Will cannot be found
Where the deceased’s next of kin or the personal representatives (PRs) believe that the deceased had made a Will but it cannot be found among the deceased’s papers nor a reference to its location found in the deceased’s emails, various enquiries and searches should be considered:
Generally, a caveat is used if a person wishes to prevent a grant, because they dispute the validity of a Will or who should administer the estate.
By lodging a caveat, the caveator will be notified of an application for a grant and given the opportunity to object to the issue of a grant.
You can call free on 0808 188 9008 or you can call us on 0207 965 7568 local call charges apply
Probate Specialist Limited, 5th Floor, 167-169 Great Portland Street, Marylebone London, W1W 5PF
Probate Specialist Limited 126, High Street , Marlborough SN8 1LZ
For general email purposes you can email email@probatespecialistltd.co.uk or london@probatespecialistltd.co.uk
You can also email your specialist directly on specialistname@probatespecialistltd.co.uk
Probate Specialist Limited, The Office, 21 Ferozeshah Road, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 2JQ
Company Number: 13015149
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