Wills & Probate
A death in the family
Administering an estate after a loved one has died
When someone dies there are a great many things to do. Losing someone you love is hard enough without having the legal process to deal with as well.
When someone dies all their money property and possessions must be collected in funeral expenses and debts paid and whatever is left must be passed to those entitled to inherit it. This procedure is often called “Probate” or “Administration”.
A will should tell you who is responsible for dealing with Probate but if there is no will the law gives the responsibility to certain family members (depending on circumstances). The people with this responsibility are the “Personal Representatives”.
The distribution of personal possessions is usually pretty simple, but there are some steps, such as closing bank accounts, selling houses or transferring shares, which require formal procedures. A legal document known as the Grant formally appoints the Personal Representatives and gives them authority to release, collect in or sell these items and then share them out between those entitled to benefit.
Legal and financial affairs must be put in order as soon as possible, which includes dealing with tax returns, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department of Work and Pensions and many other offices. This is a difficult time for those left behind and the paperwork involved can seem daunting.
The death of a loved one brings its own heartache, confusion and problems. The need to wind up the affairs of your loved one in the midst of this can be too much. We can help to reduce the burden on you and can
Obtain the grant of probate or letters of administration
Deal with the administration of the estate, i.e. collecting in assets, paying debts and distributing to the beneficiaries
Interpreting the will or the laws that apply if there is no will
Preparing tax returns to wind up income tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax affairs and reclaim any taxes due back to the estate
Advising you on whether anything can be done to help minimise the impact of taxes, either now or in the future
Register the transfer of land and other property to the correct beneficiaries
Trace missing beneficiaries
We provide an efficient and friendly Probate and Administration service to help you and your family. For more information, please contact:
Emily Wigg at our York office:
Ingrams Solicitors
10 Great North Way
York Business Park
York
YO26 6RB
01904 520600
emilyw@ingramssolicitors.co.uk
Or, click here to request more information
Or come to our Free Legal Clinic, which is held at our York and Hull offices every Thursday night between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm.
