Practical, careful help after someone has died.
We take on as much, or as little, of the work as you want us to. The aim is the same in every case: to lift weight off the family.
Probate is the legal process of dealing with the estate of someone who has died. The deceased's assets must be valued, debts paid, taxes settled, and the remainder distributed according to the Will (or the rules of intestacy if there is no Will). At SLS, we support executors and administrators through this process, handling as much or as little of the work as the family wants us to.
What probate involves, and where we help.
Probate is administrative work, done at a difficult time. Bank accounts have to be identified and closed. Property has to be valued. Pensions, life insurance, investments and personal possessions have to be accounted for. Debts and bills have to be paid. Inheritance Tax has to be calculated and, where due, paid. The Probate Registry has to be applied to. Beneficiaries have to be paid out. Tax has to be settled with HMRC. Final accounts have to be drawn up.
An executor with the time and the temperament can do all of this themselves. Many people find it more useful to have a professional take on the parts they would rather not do, while keeping decision-making with the family. We work both ways: full estate administration where preferred, or 'grant only' work where we obtain the Grant of Probate and the family handles the rest.
What we typically take on.
- Identifying and valuing assets and liabilities
- Drafting and submitting the Inheritance Tax return where required
- Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Collecting in assets, closing accounts and selling property where required
- Paying debts, expenses and taxes from the estate
- Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries in line with the Will or intestacy rules
- Preparing final estate accounts for the executors and beneficiaries
- Resolving disputes or complications where they arise, with referral to specialist legal advice if needed
When probate is, and is not, required.
Not every estate needs probate. Small estates, jointly held assets that pass automatically to the survivor, and estates without significant property may not require it. We can usually tell you within a free consultation whether probate is likely to be needed.
If you are unsure, the safest first step is a conversation. We explain what is involved before any work is taken on, and we never start the formal process without a clear written quote.
How probate is priced.
Probate is quoted individually because every estate is different. The factors that affect price are the number and type of assets, whether Inheritance Tax is involved, whether property is being sold, the complexity of the Will or intestacy, and any disputes that arise. We give a clear written quote after the free consultation, with a fixed fee where possible.
Coming soon
Who inherits if there is no Will?
A short questionnaire that walks through the intestacy rules for England and Wales is on its way. Until it lands, the free consultation will tell you who inherits in your specific family situation and what changes if you write a Will.
Common questions.
Start with a free consultation, by telephone or video, or in person if you would prefer. We will ask about the estate, the deceased's affairs, and what the family would like our role to be. There is no charge for that conversation, and no obligation to instruct us afterwards.
It varies. A straightforward estate with a Will, no Inheritance Tax and no property to sell can be administered in three to six months. Estates with property, IHT or complications take longer, sometimes a year or more. We give realistic timescales upfront and keep you updated as the work progresses.
Not always. Many estates do not require legal advice beyond the standard probate process, which we can handle. If a matter raises specialist legal issues (contested Wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, complex tax disputes), we will refer you to a trusted firm.
The estate is administered under the rules of intestacy. The process is similar, but the family applies for Letters of Administration rather than a Grant of Probate, and the estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules rather than the deceased's wishes. We handle both.
We quote probate individually. The cost reflects the work involved, not a percentage of the estate. We work to fixed fees where possible. The Probate Registry's own fee is currently £300 (for estates over £5,000), payable separately.
Yes. We handle the Inheritance Tax return where required, claim available reliefs and exemptions, and liaise with HMRC. For complex tax matters we work alongside the deceased's accountant or a tax specialist.
“Most families do not need someone to take it all over. They need someone calm in the room, who knows what comes next.”
What clients often need alongside this.
Will writing
A properly drafted Will makes your wishes clear, protects the people you love and saves your family from unnecessary stress. Single Wills, Mirror Wills, Complex Wills.
Read moreInheritance Tax planning
With careful planning, much of an estate can be passed on without an unnecessary tax bill. We work with you, and your other advisers where helpful, to plan properly.
Read moreTrusts
Trusts can protect assets for vulnerable beneficiaries, ring-fence money for grandchildren, reduce IHT exposure or keep wealth in the family across generations.
Read more
Tell us about the estate.
These details help us prepare for the call so the conversation starts in the right place. Nothing here is binding.
A free consultation is the easiest place to start.
Thirty minutes with a qualified consultant, no obligation, with a clear sense of your options at the end.
Or call us on 01304 577 998