When dealing with the death of a loved one, many Executors find themselves worrying about the costs of administering the estate and how fees can be paid. Acting as an Executor or Administrator is not a paid role, and it’s common to feel concerned that it may leave you out of pocket. In this blog, we’ll cover what probate is and whether probate (and other fees) can be paid out of the estate.

When someone passes away, probate may be required before their assets can be dealt with. This blog discusses what probate is, when it's required, and the probate thresholds of some UK financial institutions.

What are the UK rules of intestacy? When someone dies without a Will, they are said to have died intestate, and their estate must be distributed following the rules of intestacy.

When someone dies without leaving a Will, it is known as dying intestate. Intestacy can complicate the probate and estate administration processes, as the law decides who will deal with the estate and who will inherit from it. In this blog, we aim to answer frequently asked questions about the processes involved when someone dies without a Will in the UK.

What is a Grant of Probate? “What is a Grant of Probate?” is a frequently asked question by those newly tasked with administering the estate of a loved one who has recently passed away. A Grant of Probate, commonly referred to as probate, is a legal document that is often required in England and Wales by the Executor(s) (if there is a Will) of a deceased person’s estate. In Scotland, the process is known as Confirmation. A Grant of Probate is often requested by financial institutions to access bank accounts, sell assets, and settle the debts of someone who has died. Once probate is granted, this provides the Executor with the legal authority to administer the deceased’s estate and complete the above tasks.

Probate is a legal process that may be necessary when someone dies and leaves assets behind. It involves obtaining a Grant of Probate to give the Executor the legal right to proceed with estate administration. This includes identifying and valuing the deceased’s assets, paying any debts and expenses , distributing those assets to their beneficiaries, and much more.

When writing your Will, you may include a Trust for certain portions of your estate, such as cash gifts or property. Alternatively, you may be acting as an Executor or Trustee for a Will that includes a Trust.

Following a bereavement, there are a number of tasks that need to be completed, which can make an already difficult time even more stressful. The Executor (if there is a Will) or Administrator (if there is no Will) is responsible for administering the deceased’s estate as per the wishes in their Will. They should consider: Whether probate is needed What’s involved in the probate process Whether a probate Solicitor is required In this blog, we aim to answer these queries and alleviate confusion around the probate application process.

When creating a Will, it’s important to consider who will be taking care of your estate upon your death. There are several roles that may come into this, including the named Executor(s) and Trustee(s). In this blog, we will explain the role of a Trustee in a Will, how they are appointed, and the difference between Trustees, Executors, and beneficiaries.