Probate Advice

When a person dies, the word 'Probate' is often used to describe the process involved in dealing with their estate.

If a person died leaving a Will, then the executors obtain a Grant of Probate. If a person dies without a Will, (in others words they die "intestate"), then the administrators obtain a Grant of Letters of Administration.

The phrase 'Grant of Representation' is used 'in the trade' to cover both types of Grant. In the same way, the phrase 'personal representatives' covers either executors or administrators.

The personal representatives have a duty to ensure all the deceased's assets are collected in, their liabilities and inheritance tax are paid and then the estate is distributed either in line with their Will or the intestacy rules.

Administering a person’s estate can be quite complicated and time consuming, especially when inheritance tax is payable. If you are a personal representative the consequences of getting something wrong can be disastrous - either you can pay heavy penalties to the Revenue if you mis-calculate the tax or you may have to pay out of your own pocket to a creditor or beneficiary if you make a mistake.

At BHP Law, we have a team of experts who can guide you through the Grant of Representation process. We can do as much or as little as you want, to help ease the burden and make sure you get things right. If you are worried about costs, we offer a fixed fee service so that you stay in control and know exactly where you stand.

If you would like to have a chat about your options or how we may be able to help you please contact a member of the team, complete our call back form or contact us directly at your local office.

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Your Wills, Trusts & Probate Team

Helen Biglin

Partner

Helen qualified as a solicitor in 1993 and at that time joined Walton Hardy & Clough in Darlington as a member of their Wills, Trusts & Probate team.…

Michelle Coulson

Senior Associate

Michelle qualified as a solicitor in 2006, specialising in criminal law. In 2013, Michelle also trained in private client services and private family…

Krystal Garnett

Senior Associate

Krystal has over 11 years of experience in Wills, Trusts and Probate having started her career in Liverpool and subsequently working in North Wales and…

Claire Horowitz

Senior Associate

Claire has over 16 years of experience in Wills, Trusts, and Probate, having started her career in Gateshead, qualifying in 2008. She subsequently relocated…

Laura Vipond

Associate

Laura has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. She completed her training at J W Mitchell Dodds & Co and remained at that firm when it merged…

Lucy Watson

Associate

Lucy studied law at Newcastle University before completing her LPC in York and qualifying as a Solicitor in 2017. She is proficient in all matters relating…

Bethany Pickering

Solicitor

Bethany was born and raised in Middlesbrough and has always had a commitment to developing her law career locally. She started her journey studying law…

Peter Leach

Chartered Legal Executive

Peter is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Legal Executive and has over 35 years experience in dealing with Probate matters. Peter joined BHP Law…

Lucy Burgess

Apprentice Solicitor

Lucy joined BHP Law as a Solicitor Apprentice in September 2022. As an apprentice, Lucy will experience working within different departments over the…

Jack Collins

Senior Solicitor Apprentice

Jack joined BHP in September 2020 as an Apprentice Solicitor in our Family Team. In year one of the apprenticeship Jack predominantly assisted with private…

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