The London Probate Company can help to free you from the task of administering the estate of the recently deceased. This includes not only obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration but also taking responsibility for managing the entirety of the Estate, such as collecting in all the assets, paying any liabilities, calculating and settling any tax liabilities, preparing the Estate accounts and distributing the Estate to the beneficiaries.

We can provide a fixed fee, no obligation quote over the phone. Our prices are exceptionally competitive and you can be assured that the entire administration is carried out by a probate specialist solicitor and team.

There are no upfront fees to be paid as these are taken from the estate at the end of the administration.

In detail, our service includes:

1. Estate Assessment

1. Review the Will or apply rules of intestacy
2. Contact and advise all personal representatives of their role
3. Contact and ID check all beneficiaries
4. Notify all relevant financial institutions of the death and obtain asset valuations
5. Undertake Land Registry checks
6. Apply property insurance if applicable

2. Estate Valuation

1. Obtain assets values
2. Obtain HMRC compliant property valuations
3. Establish any outstanding liabilities
4. Take steps to identify gifts made within the last 7 years
5. Arrange for joint holdings to be transferred to the surviving owner
6. Liaise with HMRC regarding income tax position to the date of death

3. Grant application

1. Prepare a detailed schedule of assets and liabilities
2. Complete and submit the correct Inheritance tax return
3. Complete and submit the Probate application
4. Place legal notices to protect the Personal Representative from personal liability

4. Collecting in the assets and settle any liabilities

1. Send the Grant to financial institutions that have requested it to release the funds
2. Prepare the transfer of any shares or investments
3. Prepare property transfer forms
4. Settle any liabilities
5. Assess any claims on the Estate
6. Identify any Capital Gains Tax due
7. Liaise with HMRC to finalise the Income Tax affairs in the year to date of death

5. Initial distribution to beneficiaries

1. Set up any trusts created by the Will
2. Transfer property to the beneficiaries
3. Transfer assets to beneficiaries
4. Prepare an interim set of estate accounts
5. Conduct bankruptcy searches of the beneficiaries
6. Make electronic payment to the beneficiaries
7. Confirm with the beneficiaries the amount paid to them and outline the next steps in the administration process

6. Estate accounts and final distribution

1. Pay the final liabilities
2. Ensure Income Tax position for the Estate Administration period has been finalised
3. Ensure Capital Gains Tax has been calculated, paid and clearance received
4. Ensure all assets have been confirmed as sold or transferred
5. Prepare a final set of Estate Accounts detailing all financial transactions during the estate administration process
6. Send the Estate Accounts to the Personal Representatives for approval
7. Prepare Estate Income Tax certificates for the beneficiaries
8. Once approved, distribute the final amounts due to the beneficiaries
9. Register any relevant Trust with HMRC