Probate Solicitors in London

The death of a loved one can be emotionally traumatic and if you've been asked to act as executor or administrator of their estate the process can be very daunting. Having the right probate solicitor can make a potentially distressing process a little easier.

Carlsons Solicitors are expert probate solicitors in London with years of experience working with individuals and families on the administration of a deceased person’s estate.
 
As an executor, you can appoint us to help you or to work on your behalf, relieving you of the stress and responsibility at what is an already difficult time in your life. And as experienced probate solicitors in London, we have the expertise to ensure we complete the process as quickly and efficiently as possible, with minimum fuss or delay.

We can help you with:

  • Probate & Estate Administration

  • Defending a Will

  • Challenging a Will

  • Intestacy


THE PROBATE PROCESS

Probate, the process of administering a person’s the money, property and possessions following their death, involves:

  • Collecting any money that is owed.

  • Settling any debts due (including outstanding taxes).

  • Dividing the estate amongst the respective beneficiaries.

  • Closing bank accounts.

After death, all the assets belonging to an individual, including property, remain frozen until the Probate Registry issues a document authorising the executor to distribute the estate in accordance with the instructions in the most current Will.

If there is no Will, it is up to the most appropriate member of the family to act on behalf of the estate. In this circumstance, certain rules known as the Rules of Intestacy will apply.

The process is a formal one and can appear complex and daunting if you’ve rarely, if ever, experienced it before. But our specialist probate solicitors in London have helped navigate a great many of our clients to the outcome that is in their best interests.


IT MAKES SENSE TO USE AN EXPERT PROBATE SOLICITOR

Our expert team of London-based probate solicitors are able to guide you through the probate process, ensuring that all tasks are completed correctly, helping to avoid any claims on the estate or any potential disputes from beneficiaries.

Our probate solicitors can offer you advice and guidance on all aspects of probate law and we’ll support you throughout the estate administration process, helping you to:

  • Interpret a Will

  • Determine the size of an estate for Probate and Inheritance Tax purposes.

  • Prepare an application for the Grant of Representation.

  • Lodge the required forms with the relevant organisations to collect monies due to the estate and settle any outstanding debts.

  • Arrange the transfer or sale of any shares, and handle the sale of any property or land owned by the deceased.

  • Prepare interest and inheritance tax returns

  • Prepare estate accounts

  • Advise beneficiaries on post death tax planning to reduce capital gains and inheritance tax liabilities

Although it is now possible to seek probate through an online digital process, we would always recommend our clients to be cautious before going down that avenue. In many cases there will be Inheritance Tax (IHT) considerations that will affect probate and require a specialist to handle the process.

The current threshold for IHT is £325,000 per person, although the rules are different for married couples where the entire estate is left to the surviving spouse – so if the estate in question is likely to amount to more than £325,000 after all expenses and liabilities have been met, there’s a good argument to use an experienced probate lawyer.

A specialist probate solicitor not only gives you the peace of mind that things are being handled correctly, but will also speed up the process to reach a quick conclusion for the benefit of both yourself and any beneficiaries.

Using our probate solicitors will also give you a degree of separation and help you remain neutral in what can be an emotional time where families often disagree over the Will and the distribution of assets.


HELPING YOU WHEN A WILL IS CHALLENGED

When a Will is challenged, this is known as Contentious Probate. Anyone challenging a Will must have a specific reason for doing so and these might include a belief that the Will was negligently drafted or that at the time of writing their Will the person:

  • Did not have sufficient mental capacity.

  • Was placed under pressure.

  • Did not have the Will properly witnessed.

Whether you are challenging or defending a Will, Carlsons probate solicitors in London have the expertise and knowledge to help you. Get in touch with us today to arrange an appointment. Our offices are based in Whetstone, North London & High Holborn, Central London (by specific appointment only).