Professional support at the most difficult time

Probate, known as the 'Grant of Probate' in England and Wales, is required by law when the deceased person owns property (like houses or land) or when a financial institution, like a bank, needs it to release funds.

It's important to note that financial institutions have their own probate thresholds, so getting a Grant of Probate might not always be necessary to access your funds. Probate is generally not needed for estates valued under £5,000 or if assets were jointly held, as they automatically pass to a surviving spouse or partner.

If probate is necessary, the Executor (in the presence of a Will) or Administrator (in the absence of a Will) must get a Grant of Probate before initiating the collection of assets linked to the estate.

Estate administration is the process of handling someone's legal, financial, and tax matters after they pass away. It's more than just getting a Grant of Probate, which is just one part of the whole process. Estate administration is necessary after anyone dies, with or without a Will. To complete it, various tasks need to be carried out:

These actions are only part of what might be needed. It’s important to keep in mind that each estate is unique. Some people choose to manage a loved one's estate on their own, but this can be quite time-consuming and problematic. It also means that you will be responsible for any errors.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is never easy, whether the estate is simple or complicated. White Deer Legal works in partnership with Kings Court Trust for probate and estate administration. For more information about Kings Court Trust, click here to visit their website.

Kings Court Trust is the leading specialist in the UK for estate administration, and like us, they focus on putting their clients first. Contact us today for further information.