Probate

Our probate solicitors advise on all aspects of estateadministration, including:

• Obtaining Grants of Probate
• Obtaining Letters of Administration
• Estate administration and management
• Calculating and reporting Inheritance Tax
• Preparing HMRC and probate application forms
• Collecting and valuing estate assets
• Paying liabilities and debts
• Distributing assets to beneficiaries
• Deeds of Variation
• Cross-border and international estates
• Advice for executors and administrators
• Advice for beneficiaries
• Probate disputes and contentious probate matters

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering a person'sestate after they have died.

Where the deceased left a valid Will, the executors named inthe Will will usually need to obtain a Grant of Probate, which provides themwith the legal authority to deal with the deceased's assets and affairs.

This may include:

• Collecting money held in bank accounts
• Managing or selling property
• Settling debts and liabilities
• Paying any tax that may be due
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries

The probate process can vary significantly depending on thesize and complexity of the estate.

What Happens If There Is No Will?

If a person dies without leaving a valid Will, they are saidto have died intestate.

In these circumstances, the estate will be administered inaccordance with the Rules of Intestacy, which determine who is entitled toinherit.

The person responsible for dealing with the estate willusually need to apply for Letters of Administration before they can administerand distribute the estate.

Our solicitors can guide families and personalrepresentatives through the intestacy process and ensure the estate isadministered correctly.

Support for Executors and Administrators

Being appointed as an executor or administrator can involvesignificant legal and financial responsibilities.

You may be required to:

• Identify and value assets
• Communicate with financial institutions
• Complete probate applications
• Deal with HMRC requirements
• Settle debts and liabilities
• Keep estate accounts
• Distribute assets correctly

Mistakes can result in delays, disputes or personalliability for executors and administrators.

Our specialist team can provide as much or as littleassistance as required, from obtaining the Grant of Representation through tomanaging the entire administration process on your behalf.

Complex and High-Value Estates

Some estates require specialist legal expertise due to theircomplexity.

We regularly advise on:

• High-value estates
• Business and agricultural assets
• Trust interests
• Overseas assets
• Inheritance Tax issues
• Missing beneficiaries
• Family disputes
• Cross-border estate administration

Our experienced team works to ensure that even the mostcomplex estates are administered efficiently and effectively.

Contentious Probate and Estate Disputes

Unfortunately, disputes can arise following a death.

These may involve:

• Challenges to the validity of a Will
• Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act
• Executor disputes
• Beneficiary disputes
• Allegations of undue influence or lack of capacity
• Disputes involving trusts and estates

Where issues arise, our contentious probate specialists canprovide strategic advice and representation to help resolve matters asefficiently as possible.

Why Choose Healys?

Healys provides a sensitive, practical and client-focusedapproach to probate and estate administration.

Our Private Client team combines technical expertise withclear advice, helping families, executors and beneficiaries navigate what canoften be a complex process.

Our expertise includes:

• Probate and estate administration
• Wills and succession planning
• Trusts and wealth protection
• Inheritance Tax planning
• International estate matters
• Court of Protection applications
• Contentious probate and estate disputes

We also work closely with trusted Independent FinancialAdvisers, Accountants and Wealth Managers where additional specialist advice isrequired.

Speak to a Probate Solicitor

Whether you need help obtaining a Grant of Probate,administering an estate, or resolving a probate dispute, our experiencedsolicitors can provide the support and guidance you need.

Contact Healys today to discuss your probate and estateadministration requirements.

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