It is a common misconception that people think that if you have a Will probate is not required but generally if you own a property then probate will be required.
This involves organising their money, assets such as property and all other general possessions and distributing them as inheritance. Generally, all assets are frozen at the time of death until the Grant of Probate has been issued.
If the deceased has left a Will, it will name a person they have chosen to administer their estate and this person is known as the Executor of the Will.
The executor must apply for the Grant of Probate, a legal document that gives them authority to deal with the deceased estate. If there is no Will, the Executor will need to apply for letters of administration.
In both cases it can potentially be a very lengthy and stressful process, with current timescales around 6 – 12 months.
Your Executors will have full financial and legal responsibility and they must pay any taxes and debts owed before distribution of the estate.
Seek expert legal advice with Wills and Probate
The paperwork involved can be complex, worrying and time consuming, including numerous lengthy legally binding forms to understand and complete. We are here to help to take all that worry and stress away and carry out the probate process on your behalf.