Probate is the process of obtaining legal authority to deal with the affairs of someone who has died.
To begin with, you will be required to fill in a ‘Return of Estate’ Form or Inland Revenue Account for the tax office. If there is a Will, the Probate Registry will then issue a Grant of Probate to the executors named in the Will. If the deceased left no Will (died intestate) they issue letters of administration to one or more relatives, who are called administrators.
With smaller estates there are other options – usually Banks and building societies will release up to £5,000 (sometimes more) without insisting that you get Probate or Letters of Administration. You may be required to sign an indemnity form for the banks records.
Rothera Dowson can help you administer an estate. Bring along all your papers to one of our Probate Team for a free half hour consultation – we will tell you how much it will cost to give further advice, or deal with the administration for you.
Wills, probate and trust
