What is probate and when is it needed?

One common misconception we encounter is that probate is not needed if the deceased has a Will. This is not true.

Probate refers to the legal process of managing a person’s estate after their death, even if they have a valid Will. Executors, who are trusted with this responsibility, handle probate. If there is no valid Will, you will need Letters of Administration. These processes legally establish who is entitled to manage the deceased’s affairs. The Probate Registry oversees these procedures and issues a court document that appoints the person entitled to handle the estate. This document is known as the Grant of Probate.

Who Can Obtain Probate?

Obtaining probate is not limited to solicitors. Many executors choose to complete the process without legal assistance.

Why Choose Bright Solicitors?

People often choose Bright Solicitors because executors bear personal liability to manage the estate promptly and competently, according to the law. Failure to do so can result in penalties. Though rare, our litigation department frequently offers advice to executors questioned about their conduct or decisions.

The prestigious Legal 500 has awarded Bright Solicitors with an outstanding client service award, showcasing our commitment to excellent service across all areas of our firm.

Reasons to Use Bright Solicitors

• Free Initial Advice: Bright Solicitors provides initial guidance and advice at no charge, helping to alleviate stress during a difficult time.
• Solicitor-Led Service: All advice comes from qualified and experienced professionals.
• At-Home Service: We can arrange meetings in the comfort of your home for convenience and reduced stress.
• Fixed Fee Probate Solution: If the estate is straightforward, we will confirm our fees upfront. Our fixed fees provide peace of mind.

Many firms calculate probate charges by hourly rate and sometimes add a ‘value fee’ based on a percentage of the estate. Bright Solicitors does not use either of these methods for straightforward estates. We charge a fixed fee, so you know exactly what the costs will be from the start.

For more information, please give us a call on 01752 388883.