Probate Solicitors in Bristol

Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone's death, involving the validation of their Will and the distribution of their estate.

It involves proving the authenticity of the Will in court, and if no Will exists, distributing assets according to intestacy laws.

It's a crucial step to transfer property, assets, and possessions from the deceased to their rightful heirs.

Probate can be complex and time-consuming, involving paperwork, valuations, and legal procedures to ensure a smooth transfer of assets.

Our estate administration solicitors can provide essential assistance with probate applications by guiding you through the complex legal processes following a death.

We can help you to verify the validity of the Will, apply for probate, and handle paperwork and legal formalities.

Our expertise can minimise potential disputes, accelerate the probate process, and relieve the burden on family members.

Our solicitors offer invaluable support in navigating the intricacies of probate, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

We specialise in Wills and Probate and have a long-established local client base, we pride ourselves on providing a first class personal service to all of our clients. 

Contact Our Probate Solicitors in Bristol

We are able to offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about the probate process and help to clarify your situation.

To book a free initial consultation with our specialist probate solicitors in Chew Magna, Kingswood or Westbury-on-Trym and the wider Bristol area, please get in touch today. You can use the contact details for each office or, alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.

Our expert probate solicitors in Bristol are available to advise on a range of matters, including:

Securing grant of probate

Securing grant of probate involves obtaining legal authorisation to manage and distribute a deceased person's estate according to their Will. This process verifies the document's validity and ensures proper administration of assets, debts, and inheritances, enhancing transparency and legal compliance.

Our solicitors can assist with securing grant of probate by guiding you through the complex legal process. We can provide expertise in preparing required documents, valuing assets, and navigating inheritance tax regulations. Our solicitors ensure accurate submission to the Probate Registry, speeding up the estate administration process and minimising potential complications.

Applying for letters of administration if there is no Will

Applying for letters of administration is the legal process of appointing an administrator to manage a deceased person's estate. This involves determining rightful heirs, assessing assets, and distributing them according to intestacy laws. It ensures a structured approach to estate settlement in absence of a Will.

Our solicitors can assist with advice on estate administration when there's no Will, by guiding you through the intricate legal steps. We can help identify rightful heirs, compile necessary documentation, and navigate complex intestacy laws. Our expertise ensures a smooth and accurate process for estate distribution in such situations.

Estate administration

Estate administration refers to the management and distribution of a deceased person's assets, debts, and affairs according to their Will. This process involves tasks like asset valuation, settling debts, addressing taxes, and ensuring proper inheritance distribution to beneficiaries.

Our solicitors can aid with the administration of an estate by providing legal expertise to executors or administrators. We can guide you through the complexities of asset valuation, tax obligations, and beneficiary rights. Our solicitors ensure compliance with legal procedures, minimise disputes, and facilitate a thorough and efficient distribution of assets as per the deceased's wishes or probate laws.

Contentious probate (inheritance disputes)

Contentious probate refers to legal conflicts and disputes that arise over the validity of a Will, estate administration, or inheritance distribution. These disputes can involve challenges to the Will's legitimacy, claims of inadequate provision, or disagreements among beneficiaries. Resolving such conflicts often requires legal intervention and court proceedings.

Our solicitors can assist with contentious probate by offering legal representation and expertise in resolving inheritance disputes. We navigate complex laws, assess evidence, and negotiate settlements. If needed, our solicitors can guide you through court proceedings to protect beneficiaries' rights and achieve a fair resolution in contested probate cases.

Probate Fees

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf. We will also undertake the collecting and distributing of assets.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.

We will handle the full process for you.

This quote is for estates where:

  • There is a valid Will
  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 4 bank or building society accounts
  • There are no other intangible assets
  • There are 1-4 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
  • There are no claims made against the estate
  • There are no Trusts created by the Will

How much does this service cost?

Fees based on 1.5% of the Gross Estate (as calculated for IHT purposes) plus VAT.

A minimum fee of £1950 plus VAT will apply to all estates.

This includes: obtaining the grant, collecting assets and distributing them.

Disbursements:

  • Probate Court fee of £273.00.
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary).
  • £169.20 (Plus £33.84 VAT) Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – £91.00 (Plus £18.20 VAT) – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
  • ID Checks - £5 per Executor and Beneficiary

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Potential additional costs

  • If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
  • If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually).
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
  • Bank Transfer Fees £30 plus VAT
  • Accountants fees
  • Surveyors fees
  • Valuers fees
  • Stock Broker Fees
  • Deed of Variation
  • Deed of Appropriation
  • Administration or Winding up of any Trusts
  • Registration with the Trust Registration Service (TRS)

As part of our fixed fee we will:

  • Provide you with a qualified, dedicated and experienced probate solicitor (or other experienced Probate Practitioner) to manage your matter.
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Calculate the IHT and Prepare the relevant Inheritance Tax Returns for submission to HMRC
  • Prepare the Probate Application
  • Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • Obtain the Grant of Probate
  • Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

Timescales can differ depending on the complexity of the estate. We can discuss this with you and advise you of the current timescales based on the individual circumstances.

Contact Our Probate Solicitors in Bristol

We are able to offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about the probate process and help to clarify your situation.

To book a free initial consultation with our specialist probate solicitors in Chew Magna, Kingswood or Westbury-on-Trym and the wider Bristol area, please get in touch today. You can use the contact details for each office or, alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.