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

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.

In the UK, the Executor of a Willis responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the Will. The specific duties of an Executor may include:

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 someone close to you dies and you’re dealing with the estate, it is easy to get overwhelmed when considering the upcoming tasks and the unfamiliar language associated with them. Firstly, it is important to understand the basics; this blog post aims to answer some of the most common questions associated with handling an individual’s estate after they have died, including:

On Monday 14th October the Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland, announced that the proposal to dramatically increase probate fees will be withdrawn after months of awaiting parliamentary approval.

As of Monday 14th October 2019, the proposal to increase probate fees has been withdrawn. Click here to read our latest blog post on the matter. On 22 July 2019, HM Courts & Tribunals Service released revised probate fees including costs for applications and additional copies of the Grant of Representation. Although the cost of the application has not changed, any additional copies will now be charged at £1.50 per copy, rather than the 50p that was previously charged.

This year has been a big year for government-related announcements, including proposed probate fee changes, civil partnerships set to be extended to mixed-sex couples, and recommendations to simplify Inheritance Tax. 2018’s research papers have also revealed some interesting insights about the Will writing and financial service industries.