Probate services

Helping you with your roles and responsibilities as the executor of someone’s estate

If you are the executor of someone’s estate, it is important to have a clear understanding of your legal responsibilities. You will need to feel confident that the process will be handled as quickly and efficiently as possible, and with sensitivity at your time of loss. Our probate lawyers are highly experienced in dealing with estates and have an expert knowledge of the law in this area.

Peace of mind

As the executor of someone’s estate, the death of a loved one can not only be a very upsetting time, but it can be a stressful time too. As executor, you are responsible for dealing with the deceased’s estate , this is often referred to as ‘estate administration’. A thorough understanding of your legal responsibilities can ensure that the whole process is dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Working on complex estate administration to make the process as straightforward as possible for you

Estate administration involves dealing with assets such as bank accounts, property, personal possessions, and sometimes, even pets and animals. As executor, you will play a role in collecting and realising assets, paying any debts, completing and submitting an Inheritance Tax Return, paying the inheritance tax due, dealing with the tax affairs of the deceased during their lifetime and throughout the administration and dividing the estate amongst beneficiaries.

Estate administration can be a complicated and lengthy process, as all finances, assets and property which, will remain inaccessible until the court that deals with a deceased person’s affairs gives permission to deal with the assets.

An estate can pass either pursuant to the terms and provisions of a Will, or if a deceased person did not leave a Will, then their estate will pass in accordance with the intestacy rules. We can guide you through both the terms of the Will or the rules of intestacy.

We can advise you on what type of Grant of Representation is needed – usually a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration although there are interim or urgent Grants that we can advise upon and obtain for you.

We can help you deal with estates that involve international assets – both in obtaining documentation and considering cross border taxation implications. We are part of an international network of professionals and therefore, have like-minded international lawyers at our finger tips to assist us in cross jurisdictional estates.

We can also advise you on the implementation and management of trusts arising from Wills or intestacy and on the preparation of Post Death Variations to Wills and Intestacy.

Specialist and compassionate professionals committed to providing you with the right support

At Moore Barlow, we are distinct from other firms and banks who charge a percentage value of the estate in question – we simply charge an hourly rate for the work involved. As specialists in probate, we have the correct systems in place to deliver real efficiencies and reduce cost.

We take care to listen to you, with the sensitivity to know when emotional support is just as important as legal advice. Our probate solicitors are highly experienced specialists with expert knowledge of this area of the law. We can help you with probate questions and issues from any of our offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking.