How Our Probate Assistance Service Works: Probate Assistance Service Explained

Losing someone you love brings emotional strain and practical tasks in equal measure. Our Probate Assistance Service is designed to take care of the legal and administrative steps, so you can focus on grieving and supporting your family. Below you will find a clear explanation of how the probate process works and how we help at each stage.

Supporting you with probate help

You do not need to manage this alone. Probate gives the person named in a will, or an administrator where there is no will, the legal authority to deal with the estate. If the estate is worth more than £5,000 or a bank asks for proof, a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration is usually required. We work with you to prepare documents, complete tax forms and communicate with the Probate Registry and HMRC.

What is probate and when is it needed?

Probate is the legal process that allows the executor or administrator to collect assets, pay debts and distribute the estate. The Probate Registry issues the Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration. You can find official guidance about applying for probate on GOV.UK, which is useful for understanding the formal rules and timelines: gov.uk - applying for probate.

The probate process, step by step

1. Register the death and gather documents

Start by registering the death and getting certified copies of the death certificate. Locate the original will if there is one, and gather bank statements, pension paperwork, insurance policies and details of any property or investments. We will give you a checklist so you know exactly what to collect.

2. Value the estate and check inheritance tax

You need a full valuation of assets and an account of liabilities. If Inheritance Tax (IHT) is due, the relevant HMRC forms must be completed and any tax paid before the Grant is issued. We can prepare either the IHT205 or IHT400, whichever applies, and advise on reliefs such as the Residence Nil Rate Band and transferrable nil rate band where appropriate.

3. Prepare and submit the application

We complete the probate application on your behalf, check the paperwork and submit the original will and supporting documents to the Probate Registry. There is a Probate Registry application fee and any applicable IHT payment required before issue of the Grant.

4. Receive the Grant and administer the estate

Once the Grant is issued, you can collect assets, close accounts, settle debts and distribute the estate to beneficiaries. We help you keep accurate records and manage any ongoing tax matters, such as rental income or capital gains tax returns that may arise after distribution.

How our Probate Assistance Service helps you

• We prepare and submit the probate application, based on the information and valuations you provide.
• We complete inheritance tax forms and advise on reliefs and potential liabilities.
• We liaise with banks, pension providers, insurers, HMRC and the Probate Registry on your behalf.
• We explain each stage clearly and provide a Letter of Engagement that sets out the fixed-fee quote and what is included.

Practical advice and a short example

If the person who died owned a house with a mortgage, you will need a valuation and details of the outstanding loan. If some accounts are held jointly, they may pass automatically to the surviving joint holder and may not form part of the estate for probate. Gifts made in the seven years before death, business or agricultural property reliefs, and shared property ownership can all affect tax and the process. We will flag these issues early and explain what evidence you may need.

Costs and timescales

We provide a fixed-fee quote tailored to your case before any work begins, together with a clear breakdown of what we will do. Factors that influence cost include the complexity of tax reliefs, the need to trace beneficiaries, or any difficulties with the will. Typical timescales vary - if no IHT is due the Grant can be issued in a matter of weeks, but if tax is payable or further investigations are needed it can take longer. We will keep you informed at every stage.

Next steps

If you would like a full explanation of how we can help with a specific estate, please get in touch. You can read more about our probate service on our site: Probate Assistance Service.

For wider planning that can make probate simpler for your family in future, consider arranging a will, a lasting power of attorney or a trust. Learn more on our pages: Will Writing, Lasting Power of Attorney and Trusts.

If you are ready to talk to one of our team, we are here to listen and help: Contact us for a no-obligation discussion.

Prefer to start online? You can also create a simple will with our online will service, which may help reduce future probate work for your loved ones.