Our probate solicitors help executors and families across London deal with everything that follows a death: proving the will, applying for the grant of probate, valuing the estate, settling debts and any inheritance tax, and distributing what remains to the people entitled to it. We work on clear, agreed fees, and we take as much of the burden off your shoulders as you want us to.
What probate is
Probate is the legal right to deal with someone's estate, meaning their property, money and possessions, after they die. If there is a valid will, the executors named in it apply for a grant of probate. If there is no will, the closest relatives apply for letters of administration and the estate passes under the intestacy rules. That grant is the document banks, registrars and other institutions require before you can access accounts, sell property or distribute the estate. We can handle the whole process for you, or just the parts you want help with.
Why probate in London so often involves inheritance tax
Inheritance tax is where London probate gets complicated. Every person has a nil-rate band of £325,000, and leaving a main home to direct descendants adds a residence nil-rate band of £175,000, so an individual can pass on up to £500,000 and a married couple or civil partners up to £1 million before any tax is due [Source: HMRC, 2026/27]. Anything above the available threshold is normally taxed at 40%, falling to 36% where at least 10% of the net estate goes to charity [Source: HMRC]. Crucially, these thresholds have been frozen since 2009 and are set to stay frozen until at least April 2030, while London property values have climbed far above them [Source: HMRC / GOV.UK]. The result is that a great many ordinary London estates, often just a home and modest savings, are now pulled into inheritance tax purely by property values. From 6 April 2027 most unused pension funds will also be brought within the estate for inheritance tax, which will pull in more estates again [Source: HMRC]. This is exactly the kind of thing a probate solicitor helps you handle correctly.
How we help
- Applying for the grant of probate, or letters of administration where there is no will.
- Valuing the estate and completing the inheritance tax account for HMRC.
- Calculating and arranging payment of any inheritance tax, including using instalment options on property where available.
- Settling debts and liabilities.
- Selling or transferring property, shares and other assets.
- Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries and preparing clear estate accounts.
Fixed, transparent fees
We believe you should know the cost up front. Rather than an open-ended percentage of the estate, we offer clear, agreed fees based on the work actually involved, and we explain exactly what is included. See our approach on the probate fees page.
Estate administration and disputes
If you want the whole estate handled from start to finish, our estate administration service takes it on entirely. If there is a dispute, over the validity of a will or a claim against the estate, our contentious probate team can help resolve it.
How long probate takes
It varies with the estate. A straightforward estate is often dealt with in a matter of months; estates with inheritance tax to pay, property to sell, or missing information take longer. Inheritance tax is generally due within six months of the end of the month of death, so early action matters, and we help you meet the deadlines without a scramble [Source: HMRC].
Why Deen & Co
You deal with a named solicitor who handles your matter with care and keeps you informed throughout, not a call centre. Deen & Co is a boutique firm regulated by the SRA (No. 560747), based in Canary Wharf and acting for families across London and England and Wales.
Local probate pages
FAQ
Do I always need a solicitor for probate?
Not always, but a solicitor protects executors from personal liability and handles the tax and legal steps correctly, which matters most in larger or taxable estates or where there is property to sell.
How much does probate cost?
We work on clear, agreed fees based on the work involved. See our probate fees page for detail.
How long does it take?
Often a few months for a straightforward estate; longer where there is inheritance tax or property.
What if there is no will?
The estate passes under the intestacy rules and the closest relatives apply for letters of administration. We can guide you through it.
Is there inheritance tax to pay on my relative's estate?
It depends on the value and who inherits. We will work it out with you; many estates pay nothing, but frozen thresholds mean more London estates now do.