Collectively, our team has a wealth of experience and can provide expert advice and assistance in dealing with matters such as:

•                Applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
•                Communicating with banks, other financial institutions, and utility providers on your behalf
•                Gather in the assets of the estate and settle any outstanding debts
•                Communicating with beneficiaries
•                Distributing the estate in accordance with the terms of the Will or according to the rules of intestacy
•                Completing the Inheritance Tax Return and settling any Inheritance Tax with HMRC
•                Consider the Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax position of the estate
•                Dealing with the formalities required when a Will contains a Trust

The above list is not exhaustive and is just a sample of the varied types of services we can offer as part of our comprehensive probate and estate administration service.

The cost varies depending on the size of the estate, and the nature of the of work required.  For example, there is more work involved in administering an estate which is liable to pay Inheritance Tax.  Once we have been able to assess all the circumstances of the estate, we will explain the costs involved and give you information about the funding options available to you.

We offer a tailored approach to legal costs, ranging from fixed fees, percentage basis or hourly rates. We will always provide a detailed cost estimate in writing to you at the outset and notify you at the earliest opportunity if it is likely to change.

We are proud to be members of the Law Society’s Wills & Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS), a prestigious mark of high quality which requires us to provide enhanced standards of expertise, client care and service.

Most of our team also have additional specialist qualifications as members of respected professional bodies such as:

• Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP)
• The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL)
• The Law Society’s Private Client Section

The Solicitors and Legal Executives in our probate and estate administration team have a wealth of experience between them and are able to see clients at any of our offices across the North West of England, whichever is the most convenient.  Home visits are also available on request in certain circumstances.

You can check whether or not a probate application has been granted using the government’s Find a Will service. If probate had been granted, it will show up on the database.

But if probate hasn’t been granted, you can enter a ‘standing search’ into the Probate Registry. You’ll then be sent a copy of the Grant of Probate when it has been issued.

It doesn’t matter whether there is or isn’t a Will for an estate – probate depends on how assets were held and the value of the assets.

Assets can be held in a sole name or jointly. If assets are held jointly, then this can be in two ways: tenants in common or joint tenants.

Probate may not be necessary if your estate is worth less than £5,000, though banks have their own minimum threshold. However, we highly recommend asking a specialist solicitor. You can contact us at enquiries@birchallblackburn.co.uk.

Probate largely depends on the type of assets someone has.

Not all assets require probate when it comes to dealing with a Will. This might include:

• Jointly held assets
• Low-value assets
• Insurance policy or pension (if a named person/organisation is nominated to receive it)

Assets that require probate might include:

• Assets held in a sole name
• Life insurance policies or pensions (if a nominee to receive it wasn’t named). 
• Investment portfolios
• Foreign assets
• Business assets