Find the Right Probate Solicitors London

Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person, resolving all claims, and distributing the deceased’s assets to their beneficiaries.

Whether or not you are named as an executor in a Will, you may be asked to apply for probate services. For further information, especially in contentious situations, get in touch with our probate London office.

The responsibility for applying for probate and administering the estate lies with the executor or administrator of the will. If there is no will, then the next of kin will be responsible.

Applying for probate can be a complex and time-consuming process, so it is advisable to seek expert advice from solicitors. At Legacy Wills and Probate, we are with you every step of the way, from filling out the probate application form to drafting letters of administration and ensuring all relevant taxes like council tax are paid.

may not need to apply for probate services. Probate is only required if the estate is worth more than a specific amount, which is usually £5,000. If the estate has less than £5,000 worth of assets, it can be distributed without going through probate.

Other reasons why a will might not need probate include:

• If all of the assets are jointly owned
• If all of the assets are held in trust
• If there is no real estate involved

Reasons why a will might need probate include:

• If the estate is worth more than £5,000
• If the deceased did not have a joint owner or beneficiary named on their accounts
• If the deceased owned real estate in their name only

If you are unsure whether or not probate is required in your situation, it is best to speak with a solicitor. Contact our London probate office for advice on the best course of action.

The duration of the process varies depending on your particular circumstances, such as the estate’s complexity and size. For instance, if a bigger estate contains foreign property, it may take up to a year or longer for probate to finish. In most cases though, probate typically takes around six months to a year after the initial probate registry is established.

The precise probate threshold is determined by the bank or building society, in addition to the number of bank accounts involved in the deceased’s estate. There isn’t currently a specific probate threshold in England or Wales.

If you’re worried about income tax or the inheritance tax threshold for any assets or property you might inherit in a will, don’t hesitate to contact Legacy Wills and Probate today.

A probate grant is normally only given to named executors of a will (although this can be disputed in certain instances), whereas letters of administration are issued to persons who qualify under intestacy rules if the deceased died without a will in place.

Our team at Legacy Wills and Probate can offer guidance and help related to letters of administration, as well as any other part of the probate process. If you come into possession of these letters under contentious circumstances, please do not hesitate to reach out to our probate solicitors in London today.

Yes, you will need the death certificate, but an interim one will suffice. If you are having trouble getting your hands on the death certificate, our London probate solicitors can help. We understand that this is a difficult time and will do everything we can to make the process as smooth as possible for you.

Yes, inheritance tax must be paid before probate can be completed. Inheritance tax must be paid within six months of the individual’s death, or else HMRC will begin charging interest. Allowing accrual of inheritance tax interest may reduce the amount you receive for the deceased’s estate and even eat into your personal funds.

If you want more information on inheritance tax planning, contact our experienced wills and probate solicitors in London for additional help.

The beneficiaries of an estate are unlikely to be taxed on the assets they acquire. The person who has died will almost always be responsible for all tax charges.

However, a surviving individual receiving income generated from property or assets of the deceased may have to pay related taxes as part of the probate fee final bill. In certain more intricate estate situations, the beneficiary may be required to pay associated taxes as part of the probate cost final invoice.

Get in contact with our London probate team if you’re not sure whether you should be paying relevant taxes.

Yes, a grant of probate is required to access a deceased person’s assets, which can be obtained from the Probate Registry. To ensure they release money or assets to the right person, financial organisations like building societies and banks always require this document.

The grant of probate can be obtained by a close relative, civil partner, surviving spouse, unmarried partner, or other family members from the probate registry.

So long as the person applying for the grant of probate is named in the original will, there aren’t any reasons why that person needs to be related to the deceased.

The size of the deceased’s estate will dictate how much you’ll need to pay in probate fees. For example, if the estate is large, there will be more complicated inheritance tax forms in addition to capital gains taxes and higher probate fees.