Hassle-free help from the UK's best Wills, Trust & Probate solicitors.
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
To deal with someone’s affairs when they die and administer their will, you must apply for probate. This gives you the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money, and possessions – referred to as their estate – when they die.
You may be able to take on the probate process yourself in simple cases, however, complex estates may require the guidance of an experienced solicitor. At Lawhive, our network of probate solicitors can help you apply for probate to streamline the process, and relieve the stress of this responsibility.
Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and get a free, fixed-fee quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
Administering a will means dealing with the affairs of someone who has died per their will if there is one, or by the rules of intestacy if they don't.
Administering a will involves:
An estate with very few assets may be relatively straightforward to administer.
Appointing a solicitor, however, will ensure you avoid any mistakes that can be costly or cause delays.
A will is administered by a personal representative.
There are two types of personal representatives:
Personal representatives can be liable if the estate is not administered correctly. Therefore, administering a will is an important job that requires attention to detail and commitment.
No, although it is recommended for complex estates.
You may be able to manage a small estate by yourself, however, as a personal representative you will be personally liable.
Because of this legal risk, many individuals named as personal representatives choose to appoint a solicitor to guide them through probate and distributing an estate.
Appointing a solicitor is important if:
When considering whether you want to appoint a solicitor you should weigh up whether you have the time to follow the complex processes required of distributing someone’s estate and whether you are willing to accept personal liability for this role.
How long it takes to administer a will depends on the size and complexity of the estate, how much time the executor has to carry out their duties, and their competency in the role.
In most cases, it will take up to a year, but it could take longer if the estate is particularly complex.
Firstly, you need to notify relevant organisations, including financial institutions, to freeze the person who died’s bank accounts.
Then apply for a Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry. This will confirm whether the will is valid and establishes the authority of the personal representative to administer the will.
You’ll need to get valuations for assets and debts based on the day they died, including property.
It is also important to complete an inheritance tax return and pay any tax owed, if applicable to the estate. You may also need to complete income tax and capital gains tax returns and pay any taxes due.
Any outstanding debts will need to be paid.
You will then be able to distribute any remaining assets according to the will of the person who has died.
To administer a will you need to apply for Grant of Probate to give you the authority to do so. You will need the death certificate of the person who has died and their original will.
A solicitor can make this process quicker and easier by ensuring the application is accurate and that the correct process is followed. This will prevent any missteps or delays in the process.
Yes, if you live abroad you can administer someone’s estate by applying for a grant of probate.
That being said, you will need to sign a lot of legal documents, so living abroad can make your role as executor more difficult and make estate administration more difficult and slower than it needs to be.
If there is more than one executor you may consider having your power reserved. This allows the other executor to apply for a Grant of Probate. You will then not need to take an active role in estate administration. You can ask the Probate Registry to reappoint you if you want to take a more active role later on.
Alternatively, you can appoint a solicitor to act on your behalf to apply for a Grant of Probate from the UK and deal with any inquiries from HMRC and the Probate Registry.
At Lawhive, our network of probate solicitors can help you carry out your role as executor for someone’s estate, especially complicated estates.
With our expert legal support, you can ensure your responsibilities are carried out within the law.
We act for UK nationals and those living abroad. If you would like legal assistance to administer a will or manage an estate, please get in touch with our team for a free case assessment and quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
