Are you looking for Probate Solicitors Near Me? We can connect you to expert probate solicitors near to where you live or work.
Dealing with the winding up of someone’s affairs after their death can be a major undertaking at what is likely to be a very difficult time. Our probate solicitors understand this and are sympathetic and approachable as well as being experts in the field.
If you would like to be connected to probate lawyers who will be able to help you through the process of administering a loved one’s estate, fill in your details and we will find you the right solicitor to help you. This will be at no cost to you for the connection and no obligation to go ahead with them.
Do You Need Help Finding Probate Solicitors Near Me?
Using a local probate solicitor is often beneficial. You will be able to attend their offices, should you need to, and they will be well-placed to deal with related issues such as the sale of property in the area.
Solicitors Near Me can find you experienced probate lawyers near where you live or work. Our service was set up by a former solicitor who realised how difficult it was for people to identify good quality legal services in their local area. He put together a service matching those with legal needs with hand-picked professionals who are able to offer expertise along with excellent service.
To be connected to specialist probate Solicitors Near Me, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
Solicitors Near Me Probate Service
Our probate solicitors offer a full service, including the following:
- Representing estate executors or administrators
- Applying for a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration
- Calculating Inheritance Tax and accounting to HM Revenue & Customs
- Identifying assets and arranging for valuations
- Locating beneficiaries, to include advertising for missing beneficiaries
- Collating and clearing the deceased’s debts and other liabilities
- Creating trusts as required under the terms of the Will
- Arranging for the sale of any property or other assets
- Collecting in the deceased’s assets
- Preparing estate accounts
- Distributing the estate to the named beneficiaries
- Dealing with disputes and claims against the estate
Where Are Your Probate Solicitors?
We can call on expert probate lawyers across the UK, with probate specialists in England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales within our service.
How Much Does Our Find A Probate Solicitor Near Me Service Cost?
We can connect you with a probate law expert free of charge. There is no obligation to use their services. Once we have provided you with the name of a local probate solicitor, you can liaise with them to see if they will be right for your needs. You can then either decide to proceed with them or not. If you do not go ahead at this stage, there will be no cost to you. Only once you ask them to start work on your behalf will you be liable to pay their fees.
Why Do I Need A Probate Solicitor?
Dealing with probate, or the finalisation of someone’s affairs after their death can be a complex process. There is generally a large amount of paperwork spread across a number of organisations and this alone can be exceptionally time-consuming.
The legal aspects can also be challenging. As an executor or administrator, you need to ensure that you identify and clear all of the deceased’s debts, that you correctly calculate the amount of Inheritance Tax due and that you locate every beneficiary.
If you make a mistake that costs the estate money, for example, paying insufficient tax or paying a bill late or failing to insure a vacant property, you could be held personally liable for any losses, even if it was a genuine error.
The solicitors that we recommend have extensive experience of the probate process and will ensure that the matter runs smoothly and that all of the details are attended to.
Payment of Inheritance Tax
It will be necessary to account to HM Revenue and Customs for the correct amount of Inheritance Tax before you apply for a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration. This is not always straightforward.
The sum due will be calculated on the basis of the value of the estate and the amount given by way of gifts by the deceased during the last seven years of their life. The Inheritance Tax threshold will be applied, together with any allowance that was not used by the deceased’s spouse, if they died first.
This can make calculating the amount of tax payable quite complicated. If errors are made and Inheritance Tax is underpaid, the estate could be liable to pay interest and a late-payment penalty, which could be recoverable from the executor or administrator.
Identifying creditors
It is vital to ensure that all of the estate’s creditors are identified. Where there is a risk that creditors exist and the executor or administrator does not have their details or information about the amount owed, adverts should be placed both in the local press and in the Gazette asking creditors to come forward.
Where the deceased had business interests in several areas, adverts should be placed in the local papers there as well.
Failure to do this could result in creditors coming forward after the estate has been distributed. Therefore claiming payment from the executor or administrator, who would have personal liability.
Distributing the estate
Similarly, all of the beneficiaries to the estate need to be identified. Where a beneficiary is missing, it can cause delays in the winding up of the estate.
If it is not known whether or not a beneficiary exists, this can be even more complicated and time-consuming. An example might be where the deceased left their estate to nephews and nieces without specifically naming them. Those left behind are unsure how many exist and where they live.
Research would need to be done to try and uncover the necessary information. Notices may need to be placed in the press and heir tracing agencies used to try and find them.
Solicitors Near Me Who Deal With Probate
We will put you in touch with a local solicitor who will be able to start the probate process. While estate administration can take some time, our solicitors will always work proactively to finalise matters without unnecessary delay. They will ensure that the estate’s liabilities are discharged in full.
Find Probate Solicitors Near Me Now
To be connected to a specialist probate solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.