Our Probate Administration Service

What does our fixed Probate fee include?

• An allocated Probate Administrator who tends to the estate from start to finish, will be available on the telephone when needed and will provide you with advice and regular written updates

• A designated Estate Client Account for estate funds

•  Full assessment of estate assets prior to start of the our administration process

•  If the original Will and accompanying documents i.e. a Codicil are held with a third party, we will organise the release of the documents

• Assessment of the original Will for any obvious discrepancies, if applicable

• The original Will, stored in a fireproof safe, if applicable

• Title deeds and excess documentation will be held in our safe-store facility

• Arranging the payment of the funeral invoice if required

• Registration of death with The Mailing Preference Service to prevent un-solicited mail

• Verification of family tree in intestacy cases

• Preliminary correspondence with the following institutions to notify of death, freeze accounts, and to obtain Probate valuations and tax information:

• Contacting HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to clarify Income Tax position up to date of death

• If there are problems with the original Will, your Probate Administrator will attempt to locate the original witnesses and prepare Affidavits for signing

• Preparation of authority document for next of kin or Executor to sign appointing The Probate Bureau to act in the administration of the estate (Power of Attorney)

• Arranging professional open market valuation of deceased's property as at date of death, if applicable.

• Your Administrator will carry out background research on properties sold in the local area to obtain an approximate valuation as at date of death (link to prop section of website)

• Once all valuations obtained, assessment of gross and net estate to determine which forms are necessary for your application

• Creating schedule of assets and liabilities

• Completion of necessary application forms

• If Inheritance Tax is payable your administrator will:

• Preparation of Oath

• Arrange swearing of Oath

• Submit forms to the Probate Registry

• Provided there are no issues with a Grant of Representation i.e. Caveat - receive the Grant

• Proof read original Grant of Representation

• Submission of legal notice to creditors

• Arranging the transfer of the property with our conveyancing solicitor, if applicable (link to prop section of website)

• Sending original Court sealed copies of the Grant of Representation and necessary withdrawal forms to relevant companies for registration and release of funds

• Completion of Estate Information Return for HMRC

• If shareholdings are not sold via the Registrar, your Administrator will arrange the sale through a private stockbroker

• Receive estate funds and pay into Estate Client Account

• Payment of estate liabilities and reimbursement of estate expenses

• Payment of pecuniary legacies

• Provided the property has been sold, receive final funds into the Estate Client Account

• Your Administrator will offer an interim distribution to residuary beneficiaries and make payment if required

• Finalise utility accounts, Council Tax and buildings insurance

• Assess whether or not Capital Gains Tax is payable, if so, calculate and arrange payment*

• Review estate files to ensure there are no outstanding issues:

• Preparation of draft final account

• Checking process in our Accounts Department

• Sending draft account to next of kin or Executor for approval and signing

• Upon receipt of approved draft account, your Administrator will re-balance the estate

• Make final payments to beneficiaries in full

• Sending hand sewn final account to next of kin or Executor

*A charge will apply if additional tax returns are required

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