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Administering a Will

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Administering a Will

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Had a great experience with Lawhive, not only did I get a great price compared to everywhere else I looked, but my assigned solicitor was amazing and super helpful every step of the way. I even got my wanted outcome with my custody case in the end.
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We had a very good experience with…
We had a very good experience with lawhive our solicitor was kind attentive and quick. She gave us all the relevant information and advice and sorted out our matter in a clear and straightforward manner. We are very grateful and pleased that we chose your services and would highly recommend.
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02 August, 24
The service offered by Lawhive is outstanding
The service offered by Lawhive is outstanding. The process to find the most suitable solicitor is straightforward and efficient. The pricing is transparent and clear and the solicitors that have been provided to me have been outstanding. I would strongly recommend this company to anyone looking for a solicitor.
Jane,
09 July, 24
Courteous, fast and competent service
I would definitely recommend Lawhive also for the way the service is structured with a quick initial call and then their online private chat, which saves unnecessary costs, time and provides the kind of flexibility to follow the case when it’s more convenient to you.
Fabrizio,
12 July, 24
Great service and job well done
Great service, excellent communication, very accommodating with timing and date requests. All done efficiently. Highly recommended.
Basira,
23 July, 24
Very happy indeed
A great service and in my experience, knowledgeable, helpful and experienced solicitors who's help I found to be invaluable. Thank you Lawhive, great job.
Paul,
26 July, 24
Had a great experience with Lawhive
Had a great experience with Lawhive, not only did I get a great price compared to everywhere else I looked, but my assigned solicitor was amazing and super helpful every step of the way. I even got my wanted outcome with my custody case in the end.
Danny,
27 July, 24
Exceptional Support
I recently used Lawhive to assist with my British citizenship application, and the experience was fantastic. My lawyer was incredibly helpful and kind throughout the entire process.
Angels,
29 July, 24
We had a very good experience with…
We had a very good experience with lawhive our solicitor was kind attentive and quick. She gave us all the relevant information and advice and sorted out our matter in a clear and straightforward manner. We are very grateful and pleased that we chose your services and would highly recommend.
Jo,
02 August, 24
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About

Administering a Will is the process of ensuring that a Will is valid and legally binding. This is done by ensuring that the Will is correctly signed and witnessed, and that the deceased's assets are correctly distributed. Solicitors are essential in this processNext steps

How much does help with Administering a Will cost?

The cost for a licensed solicitor to help with Administering a Will is dependent on many factors including the complexity and specific requirements of the case. On average it is expected to range from £400-£600 but in some cases it could cost as much as £800.

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Administering a Will

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.

What does administering a will mean?

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:

  • Gathering documentation relating to the estate (such as the original will and financial documents)

  • Valuing the estate

  • Calculating and paying debts and liabilities from the estate

  • Working out and paying inheritance tax

  • Applying for probate

  • Interpreting the will

  • Distributing the estate as per the will or according to the rules of intestacy.

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.

Who is responsible for administering a will? 

A will is administered by a personal representative.

There are two types of personal representatives:

  • Executors: Personal representatives appointed by the person who died.

  • Administrators: Personal representatives appointed to administer an estate in the absence of a will, or if named executors aren't able to fulfill their duties.

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.

Do I need a solicitor to administer a will?

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:

  • The terms of the will aren’t clear

  • Part of the estate passes to minors

  • Money or property has been left in a trust

  • The person who died owned money or property abroad

  • The person who died owned a business

  • Someone is likely to dispute the will

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 does it take to administer a will?

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.

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Traditional Law Firms

Pay by the hour

Hourly charges mean costs are hard to predict and you could be charged more than you expect.

Frustrating

It can be take days or weeks to hear updates from your solicitor.

Outdated and offline

Offline and slow procedures will require you to visit firms in-person.

No support

No dedicated support team. You'll have to deal with issues on your own.

What documents do I need to administer a will?

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.

Can I administer a will if I live abroad?

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. 

How can Lawhive help?

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.

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