Dealing with the estate of a friend or loved one after they have died can be a daunting task at an upsetting and stressful time. Our estate administration specialists in Chester and Shrewsbury, including experienced probate solicitors, can guide you through each stage of the process, providing sensitive, considered advice particular to your requirements. As a trusted probate law firm, we understand the complexities of estate administration and are here to support you during this challenging time.
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Obtaining a Grant of Representation
Those responsible for dealing with an estate generally fall into two categories:
- Executors – those who the deceased has appointed in their Will
- Administrators – those who are entitled by law to deal with the estate of a relative who did not make a Will
Executors and administrators are often referred to as the ‘personal representatives’ of the deceased.
Whether or not the person who has died left a Will, the initial steps that need to be taken are very similar, starting with establishing the assets and liabilities of the estate.
In many cases a ‘grant of representation’ will be required to deal with the assets. This is a document issued by the probate registry confirming that the executors or administrators are entitled to deal with the estate.
Whether you are an executor or an administrator, our specialist estate administration lawyers can prepare your application for a grant of representation. This helps to ensure the estate can be administered quickly and efficiently, reducing the uncertainty for yourself, friends and family of the deceased.
Complex estates
Our team of expert estate administration lawyers are highly experienced in dealing with complex and high-value estates. For over 30 years, we have been providing specialist advice to executors and administrators of estates involving significant financial assets, property and assets outside the UK, large companies and businesses, farms and agricultural property and trusts.
We draw on this wide-ranging experience to ensure that our approach to administering each estate reflects the unique priorities and wishes of those involved.
Inheritance tax
Even for relatively modest estates, inheritance tax (IHT) can be a significant consideration. It can be incurred by any estate worth over £325,000. In certain limited circumstances, IHT can even by incurred by estates worth much less. If you need to apply for a grant of representation, you have to submit an IHT account, even if there is no tax to pay.
Our specialist solicitors are experts in dealing with the taxation aspects of estate administration and will provide you with clear, thorough IHT advice tailored to your circumstances.
We can advise you on any reliefs and exemptions available to help mitigate the estate’s IHT liabilities, helping to retain as much value as possible within the estate.
