FAQs

What is probate?

Probate is the word used to describe the legal process of administering the estate of a person who has died, and, after deducting debts and other liabilities, transferring that person's money and possessions to the people who will inherit them: their beneficiaries.

How do I know if I need to get a Grant of Probate?

As a general rule, if the person who has died owned assets in his or her own name, you will need a Grant of Probate. Exceptions include where the only assets involved are low value bank or building society accounts or if all of the assets are held in joint names.

Can I make the application myself?

You can. Kings Court Trust is here to help you make the best choice based upon the complexities and timescales involved. Our DIY Assist service provides everything you need to make a personal application. Alternatively, we can make life easier by doing everything for you. Feel free to call us for a chat to talk through your options.

How long does it all take?

It will depend on the amount of work necessary. A straightforward estate with a few UK based assets and a small number of beneficiaries will take less time to administer than a complex estate with numerous assets, both in the UK and overseas, and a large number of beneficiaries, some of whom perhaps cannot be easily located. We will discuss this with you on an individual basis at the outset.

What will it cost?

We offer our full range of estate administration services on a fixed price basis.  If we're doing all the work for you, we will quote you a fixed fee for every element of the estate administration process, including all third party costs and VAT. Our fixed price will be based on the tasks required to administer the estate and not on the time taken, or the value of the estate.  Alternatively, if you would like to administer the estate yourself, we can provide various levels of support to meet your needs.

Do I need to involve a solicitor?

As a regulated probate company, Kings Court Trust is authorised to carry out all the functions of a probate solicitor in estate administration terms.  However, we work very differently to traditional solicitors. Not only are we probate experts, we will give you a fixed price at the outset that will not change, and a dedicated Case Manager who will be your point of contact throughout the duration of the estate administration. You can also follow progress online, at any time, through our unique case tracking system, INSIGHT.

If you are considering administering the estate yourself, our DIY Assist service gives you everything you need, along with our expert support should you need it.

There is a Will that leaves everything to my mother/father; doesn't that mean that I don't need a Grant of Probate?

It depends - if the person who has died owned assets in his or her own name, you will probably need a Grant of Probate. Exceptions include where the only assets involved are low value bank or building society accounts. It is not the Will itself which determines the legal process you'll need to go through. Please see 'Do I need probate?' for further information on this topic.

How and by whom are we regulated?

Kings Court Trust is authorised and regulated by the CLC, which is a Licensing Authority for Probate. We are registered under number L/511314/1 as an alternative business structure under the provisions of the Legal Services Act 2007. Please click here for more information about us. 

What is an estate?

Someone's estate is everything that they own; all of their assets (whether real property or personal property) and their debts.

Who are Executors and what are their responsibilities?

An Executor is quite simply a person the deceased wished to deal with the administration of their estate after their death, and is the person, or one of the people, named in the Will.