If you are taking on the role of Executor or Administrator and have little experience in this field, it can seem a complex and challenging duty, adding stress at a difficult time.

It's your responsibility to ensure that the assets are valued and sold, taxes and debts paid and that the estate is distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will (or if the deceased has not left a Will, that the proper Rules of Intestacy are followed).

If the value of the estate exceeds £5,000 you will need to apply to the Probate Court for a Grant of Probate or Representation, and you'll also need to submit various forms to HM Revenue & Customs. If inheritance tax is payable, you'll generally need to pay this FIRST before the Grant is issued. In any event, the deceased's assets are frozen pending the issue of the Grant of Probate.

We can assist with the collation of the relevant financial information and preparation of the required documents for filing with the Probate Court and HM Revenue & Customs.

We also offer a full service where we will collect in relevant assets on your behalf and deal with all estate matters, including the preparation of estate accounts (showing details of all assets passing into and out of the estate) and the subsequent distribution of the estate funds to the entitled beneficiaries.

Please contact our Head of Estate Planning Jayne Parsons if you would like to discuss our Probate services further.