Administering an estate can be time-consuming, technical and emotionally draining, especially when you are also coping with bereavement. Our probate solicitors advise executors, administrators, trustees and families on estate administration, trusts, inheritance tax and related disputes.
Practical advice after a death
The legal steps that follow a death can feel overwhelming, particularly where there is property to deal with, tax to calculate or uncertainty about the will. We guide clients through the process from the outset, helping them understand what needs to be done, what information is required and which parts of the administration may be urgent. Our role is to provide clarity, reduce pressure and make sure the estate is handled properly and efficiently.
Probate and estate administration services
We advise on applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, the collection and valuation of assets, payment of liabilities, inheritance tax issues and the distribution of the estate to beneficiaries. Some estates are straightforward. Others involve business interests, multiple properties, foreign assets, family tensions or trust arrangements created during lifetime or by will. We tailor our support to the complexity of the estate and the level of help required by the client.
Trusts, deeds of variation and longer-term planning
Our work also extends beyond the immediate administration. We advise on will trusts, lifetime trusts, deeds of variation and the responsibilities of trustees. In some cases, a trust structure is already in place and needs ongoing administration. In others, clients need advice on how a deed of variation or post-death planning may affect the estate and the family’s wider position. Clear advice at this stage can help preserve value and reduce the scope for future dispute.
Disputes and sensitive family situations
Even where the legal issues are manageable, estates can become difficult because of family relationships, expectations or concerns about the validity of a will. We provide measured advice on disputes involving executors, beneficiaries and contested wills, always with a focus on achieving a practical outcome where possible. Whether you need full administration support or targeted advice on one part of the process, we aim to make an inherently difficult time more manageable.
To speak to our Probate team, call 0331 630 1144, email probate@msbsolicitors.co.uk or complete our Enquiry Form and we’ll get back to you.
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Our Probate, Trust and Estates Services
- Extraction of Grant of Probate
- Extraction of Grant of Letters of Administration
- Administration of Estates where no inheritance tax is due
- Administration of Estates where inheritance tax is due
- Deeds of Variation
- Setting up of Will Trusts – a trust that has been established in a Will on death
- Acting as Professional Executors in the administration of an estate
- Acting as Professional Trustees in the administration of both Lifetime Trusts and Will Trusts
- Property inheritance
- Dispute of Wills
Our Probate, Trust & Estates FAQs
Do I always need probate?
Not always. Whether probate is required depends on the assets in the estate and how they are held. We can advise early on whether a grant is likely to be needed and what information should be gathered first.
How long does estate administration take?
Can you help if there is a trust or a will dispute?
Our Team
What our clients say
"I recently dealt with Steven Butchart regarding a probate matter, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the service he provided. He handled everything with professionalism, sensitivity, and clarity during a very difficult time. Steven was always prompt in responding to my queries and kept me informed at every stage of the process. His guidance made the legal side of things much less stressful. I highly recommend him to anyone needing support with probate or other legal matters."
Excellent Probate Service
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