Probate Service

Arora Bailey solicitors offer a complete probate administration service. If you have been appointed as an Executor of a Will or an Administrator of an estate (where no will has been made) we can help you deal with the complexities that an administration of an estate can bring. An Executor’s or Administrator’s responsibilities can be onerous and far more extensive than many appreciate. You will have to collect all the assets, deal with inheritance tax issues, swear an oath to the court and then distribute the estate to the beneficiaries. Get it wrong, you could be held personally responsible to compensate a beneficiary who sustains loss as a result of the estate having been administered incorrectly.

Each year we handle estates ranging in value from the small to the large, from the straightforward to the complicated. Our work includes:

• Obtaining grants of representation for personal representatives
• Advising on the terms of the Will
• Advising on the intestacy provisions where there is no Will
• The role of the personal representative
• Beneficiaries' rights
• Collecting in the assets, paying off the debts and expenses and paying out the assets to the nominated beneficiaries
• The inheritance tax liabilities in the estate and negotiating with HM Revenue & Customs in cases of value disputes
• All capital gains tax and income tax issues that can arise in an administration, including mitigating the worst effects of these taxes
• Claims against the estate brought under the Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
• Deeds of variation

Costs

Traditionally solicitors have always undertaken estate administration work. Increasingly, banks and other internet organisations also offer probate services. Whilst we understand that cost is a consideration, it is equally important to find a solicitor, who is approachable, sympathetic and whose advice you understand. Banks generally charge three times the amount of that of a solicitor and simply outsource the work to a panel of solicitors, whilst retaining a percentage of the fee for themselves. There are internet companies offering low fixed fees for probate work, but many do not hold any formal legal qualification, some are inexperienced, are not governed by any professional body and alarmingly, do not carry indemnity insurance. So, if you are unhappy with their service, if they negligently handle your case and you sustain loss, you have absolutely no legal recourse. As solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority you remain fully protected.

We believe that you should know what your legal costs are likely to be at the outset of any transaction and that your costs should be reasonable. We would be quite happy to discuss our costs with you. Remember that the cost of dealing with an estate is usually paid from the estate, so there is usually no upfront payment to be made.

We also offer a free half hour consultation with one of our specialist solicitors. Call us on 020 8661 0000 or email enquiries@arorabailey.co.uk today to make an appointment. We’ll be pleased to help.