Probate & Administration Of Estates
Reasons to choose Wilson Browne
- Direct access to your legal team
- Transparent costs
- Free Initial Assessment (see footer)*
Why use a probate specialist?
At Wilson Browne, our Probate specialists can ease the burden of dealing with the Administration of Estates, whether that person died leaving a Will or intestate (without leaving a Will)
We can help ensure that steps are taken to resolve matters for all concerned as quickly as possible.
We can also advise on post-death opportunities that may be available in rearranging that person’s estate to save Inheritance Tax, or to take into consideration circumstances that were not envisaged when a Will was made.
When a family member or close friend dies, it can be difficult to establish what the next steps are in dealing with the estate.
We are proud to represent everyone from the proverbial ‘man on the street’ to wealthy or high net worth individuals and business owners.
We cover all areas of legal advice for individuals and Commercial law, having offices in Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Higham Ferrers, Wellingborough and Leicester and can meet at a location that’s convenient to you
Call our probate team today on 0800 088 6004
Frequently Asked Questions about Probate
What is Probate?
Probate is the term given to the process of administering someone’s estate (their assets) when they die. Sometimes it is also referred to as the Administration of an estate.
When someone dies owning significant assets, a formal ‘grant’ needs to be obtained from a court to enable their estate to be divided between beneficiaries.
What is a Grant of Probate, and why do I need one?
If the deceased’s estate is valued above a certain amount, it may become necessary to obtain a Grant.
A Grant is a Court Order providing the Executors/Administrators with the legal authority to deal with the administration of the estate. It will enable the assets to be collected and distributed and the deceased’s wishes to be followed.
What type of Grant of Probate do I need?
Grant of Probate
There is a valid Will, and the named executors are willing to prove the Will.
Grant of Letters of Administration (with Will annexed)
There is a valid Will, but the named executors are not willing to prove the Will, have died, no longer have the mental capacity or are unable to prove the Will.
Grant of Letters of Administration
There is no valid Will, and therefore the Intestacy Rules will apply.
Click Here To Find A Copy Of Our Probate Fees.
How long does probate take with a will?
If there’s a will, it can take anywhere between nine to 12 months to get a grant of probate. Depending on the complexity of the estate, however, it can sometimes take longer.
Can you sell property before probate is granted?
In most cases, it’s not possible to sell a house before probate is granted – as without a probate, the executor doesn’t have the authority to do this. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as if the surviving partner is a joint owner of the property.
Do you need probate to sell a house?
This depends on how the property was owned. For example, if the deceased owned property solely in their name, probate is generally required before property can be legally sold.
