Dealing with probate and the winding-up of a loved one’s estate after they have died can be overwhelming at what is already a difficult time. Our probate team understands this and can step in to help ensure the estate administration is dealt with quickly and efficiently.
We have decades of experience in dealing with probate and estate administration, and our friendly and sympathetic lawyers are committed to making the process as easy as possible for you.
We offer as much or as little support as you want. It may be that you only need us to help with a single issue, such as applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, or you may want us to take on the whole estate administration for you.
At Ashtons Legal, we are recognised in the region as providing an outstanding probate service. Our team is highly ranked by top directory the Legal 500 for our leading expertise in Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate, as well as Contentious Trusts and Probate.
Our probate lawyers have all undergone high levels of training and include members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and the Association of Tax Technicians.
Our Ipswich probate lawyers can help you with:
- Applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Full administration of the estate
- Bespoke probate and estate administration support as needed
- Administering intestate estates (where the deceased did not leave a Will)
- Inheritance disputes (contentious probate)
- Advising on and preparing Deeds of Variation.
We are also able to call on experts in other teams across our firm in relation to other issues that often arise in respect of probate, such as dealing with a family home and updating Wills.
Book a consultation with our probate lawyers in Ipswich
We offer a fixed fee consultation with one of our experienced probate lawyers to discuss your situation and how we can help. This can be in person or via video link.
To find out more, please contact our Ipswich office or use our online enquiry form to request a callback.
How we can help with probate in Ipswich
Grant of Probate
One of the first steps in dealing with the administration of an estate is to apply for the Grant of Probate or, if the deceased did not leave a Will, the Grant of Letters of Administration. This gives the deceased’s personal representatives the legal right to deal with the winding up of their estate.
Our Ipswich probate service is able to make the application to the Probate Registry on your behalf.
We can also assist with related matters, including the following:
- Advising you whether probate is needed
- Estimating the value of the assets in the estate
- Calculating the amount of any Inheritance Tax liability
- Notifying HM Revenue & Customs of the Inheritance Tax due and making payment to them
- Applying for the Grant of Probate or the Grant of Letters of Administration
- Advising you in respect of any trusts which are to be set up under the terms of the Will
- Advice on any issues specific to the deceased’s estate, which may need to be addressed once probate has been granted.
Full estate administration service
Dealing with the winding-up of an estate can be time-consuming and lengthy. In addition, if mistakes are made, the personal representatives can be held personally liable for any losses which arise, even if the mistake was genuine. Many clients ask us to deal with the whole estate administration to reduce the burden on them at a difficult time.
If you ask us to take on the full estate administration, our Ipswich probate team will work closely with you and make sure you are kept updated as to progress and that we are available to answer any questions you may have. Our goal is always to remove any stress and worry from the situation for you.
Our service includes the following:
- Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration
- Dealing with the sale of any property
- Collecting in the estate assets
- Paying all outstanding debts and liabilities
- Dealing with HM Revenue & Customs and paying Inheritance Tax
- Advising in respect of any trusts arising from the Will
- Preparing detailed estate accounts
- Distributing bequests to the deceased’s beneficiaries
- Advising and supporting the estate Executors or Administrators as needed.
Bespoke probate and estate administration support
Where clients are happy to take on most of the estate administration themselves, we offer a bespoke service where we will deal with specific tasks on their behalf. Often, we are asked to calculate and pay the Inheritance Tax liability and apply for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.
Our Ipswich probate lawyers can assist with any individual areas of estate administration that you might need help with, as well as offering advice and support in related areas, such as the sale of property.
Intestacy
If the deceased did not leave a Will, they are said to have died intestate. This can make the estate administration more complicated and their estate will pass under the Rules of Intestacy.
Our probate team can deal with the winding-up of an intestate estate on your behalf or with any individual tasks that you may not want to take on yourself.
Inheritance disputes (contentious probate)
Disputes often arise after a death when relatives do not receive what they believe they are entitled to or when they are dissatisfied with the way in which an executor or administrator is dealing with the winding up of the estate.
Our contentious probate solicitors in Ipswich take a practical approach to dealing with disputes. Wherever possible we will work to find an amicable solution to disputes to avoid the estate being dragged into time-consuming and expensive litigation. We are expert negotiators with a strong track record of successfully resolving difficulties without recourse to the courts.
Why choose our probate solicitors in Ipswich?
For probate in Ipswich, our team offer the following benefits:
- Decades of experience in probate and estate administration
- A friendly, supportive and sympathetic service
- A flexible approach, offering just as much help as you need
- Fast response times, returning your calls without delay.
Our team are well-respected and independently recognised by leading bodies, including:
- Highly ranked in the field of Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate by The Legal 500
- Highly ranked for Contentious Trusts and Probate by The Legal 500
- Our Ipswich and wider team includes members of:
- The Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
- Association of Lifetime Lawyers
- Association of Tax Technicians.
Our probate and estate administration law fees
Legal fees will generally be paid out of estate funds. Our costs will be on a fixed fee basis for straightforward matters, such as applying for the Grant of Probate. For complex cases, we will discuss the likely costs with you so that you understand exactly what is involved.
More information about our probate pricing can be found here.
Book a consultation with our probate lawyers in Ipswich
For an initial consultation, please contact our Ipswich office or use our online enquiry form to request a callback and we will be happy to arrange a meeting for you with one of our expert probate lawyers.