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Josh Fenton-Hawkes
Head of Wills & Probate
When a person dies somebody must take responsibility for their financial and property assets, and ultimately organise them so that they pass to the intended people. This will be in accordance with the Will if there is one or the rules of intestacy where there is no Will.
Depending on whether or not there is a Will and the size and value for the assets as well as what those assets actually are, there may need to be an application to the Probate Registry for either a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. This is the Court endorsing the Executors in the Will or appointing a suitable person or persons to legally represent the deceased’s affairs and deal with the distribution of the estate.
Every death is personal and individual. The process of administering an estate varies from individual to individual but three stages are apparent in all:
- Identifying the assets in the estate, valuing those assets and declaring that value to HM Revenue & Customs and the Probate Registry;
- Applying for the Grant of Probate or the Letters of Administration; and
- Paying off the liabilities and distributing the estate to the intended recipients.
Some estates will be very straight forward and some will be complex, some of modest value while others are of higher value. Some will need to deal with the payment of Inheritance Tax, others will require a simple return (report to HM Revenue & Customs) but will not need to pay tax.
At Bell & Buxton we have expertise in all types, sizes, values, and complexities which include dealing with foreign assets when necessary. We can deal with as much of the estate as required from simply supporting you through the process, to taking the whole administrative burden off your shoulders.