Probate services

Probate and estate administration services

We understand how difficult it can be to handle someone’s legal and financial affairs, particularly at a time when you are likely to be coming to terms with the death of a loved one.

We are here to help, providing as much support as you need. As a licensed practice for probate related work and specialists in all aspects of taxation, accounts preparation and estate planning, Fisher Phillips is well placed to take care of the probate and estate administration process for you.

Applying for Probate

A Grant of Probate is the document issued by the Probate Registry which authorises the executors named in a Will to deal with the deceased’s estate.

The process of applying for Probate 

While the phrase ‘probate’ is often used to cover the whole process of dealing with the estate, the following are the key stages: -

1. Obtaining valuations for the deceased’s assets and establishing all debts
2. Preparing and submitting the appropriate HMRC Inheritance Tax forms
3.  Applying for the grant of probate
4. Administering the estate (gathering in the assets and settling the debts of the deceased)
5. Paying legacies
6. Completing tax returns and advising you on any Income and Capital Gains Tax liabilities of the estate
7. Preparing the estate accounts
8. Distributing the assets to the beneficiaries.

We offer the full range of services to support you though the probate process and can help whether you need assistance on one specific matter or on the whole probate and administration process.

Probate timescales

Obtaining Grant of Probate can take between three to nine months, depending on the level of complexity of each case. If there are any issues with the validity of the Will, the ownership or valuation of assets or a delay in payment of tax, then it may take much longer. Once the Grant of Probate is obtained, administering the Estate can take from two months to a year depending on the assets in the estate, whether some assets need to be sold and the length of time it takes to sell them.

Why choose us?

• We are experienced in all areas of accounts, tax and estate administration which means you can have total confidence in us handling the whole process for you.
• You can be assured of the personal attention we pride ourselves on. You will have access to our partners and specialist staff who will work closely with you and will be sensitive to your needs, providing you with the support and advice you need.
• As accountancy and tax specialists we’re used to gathering and calculating financial and tax related information. In doing so, we can reduce the amount of time it takes to compile the necessary information and keep costs down.
• We provide you with a transparent fee structure from the outset. We do not charge based on the value of the estate; our fees are calculated on a time basis and depend on the amount of work which we do for you. Before our engagement is confirmed we will provide you with an estimate of our fees for each stage of the process. Our fee structure and charges can be viewed here.

Complaints Procedures

We want to give you the best possible service. However, if at any point you become unhappy or concerned about the service, we are licenced and regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and you can also access a free and independent service form the Legal Service Ombudsman so there is a clear process to resolve any problems should they arise. Our firm’s complaints procedures are also set out in our letter of engagement which we will agree with you before the engagement is confirmed and before any work commences.

Click here to view ICAEW complaints procedure

Click here to view ICAEW register of accredited probate firms.

Contact us

Please contact us for more information about our probate and estate administration service.