Your Step by Step Guide to Probate

Determine if a Will has been left

1a If a Will has been left, send the original Will to us

1b If no Will has been left, the rules of Intestacy apply.These are a set of rules which decide which family members inherit the assets. Any person related to the person that died will need to prove they are related to them by providing us with documents such as their birth and marriage certificate

Provide us with important documents such as the Death Certifcate and details of the assets left by the deceased (everything they owned) along with details of their income (for example pensions or salary).

2a If no Will has been left, provide us with a family tree with names and dates of birth of the known family members

Client care letter sent to the Executors named in the Will or the family members inheriting via the Intestacy Rules that wish to act as Administrators (a similar role to Executors)

Return client care letter and ID

Review the documents to establish the assets

Contact all relevant organisations to obtain valuations for the deceased’s assets

Once valuations have been received, we shall prepare an Inheritance Tax (IHT) return and Oath

We meet the Executors or Administrators to review the documents

Inheritance Tax form signed and Oath sworn

9a Inheritance Tax paid to HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC)

9b Inheritance Tax receipt issued by HMRC

Grant of Representation sent to us by the Probate Registry

Copies of the Grant of Representation submitted to relevant organisations to collect in the assets

12a

If the person that died owned a house, it can now be sold

Liabilities and expenses paid (including our fees)

Income Tax return submitted to HMRC

HMRC confirm that Income Tax affairs have been settled

Final Estate Accounts sent to Executors or Administrators for their approval

Once approved by the Executors or Administrators, the Estate Accounts are sent to the Beneficiaries for their approval

Once approved by the Beneficiaries, the nal payments are made

Estate Administration completed and important estate documents sent to the Executors or Administrators