Estate administration is the full process of dealing with everything a person leaves behind: identifying and valuing the assets, applying for the grant, paying debts and any inheritance tax, and distributing the estate to the right people. We can take the entire process on for you, with or without a will, on clear fixed fees, and keep you informed at every stage.
What full administration involves
- Identifying and valuing all the assets and liabilities of the estate.
- Applying for the grant of probate, or letters of administration if there is no will.
- Completing the inheritance tax account and arranging payment of any tax due.
- Collecting in the assets, closing accounts and selling or transferring property.
- Paying debts, expenses and legacies.
- Preparing estate accounts and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries.
Why executors use us
Being an executor or administrator carries real personal responsibility, and mistakes, in the tax account, in distributing before debts are cleared, or in overlooking a beneficiary, can leave you personally liable. Handing the administration to a solicitor protects you and takes a heavy, time-consuming job off your hands at a difficult time. See the probate hub and probate fees.
The intestacy rules
Where there is no valid will, the estate passes under the intestacy rules, which set a strict order of who inherits and how much. These rules do not always reflect what the family expected or what the deceased would have wanted, and they can be complex where there are second marriages, stepchildren or unmarried partners. We guide administrators through them and make sure the estate is distributed correctly.
FAQ
What is the difference between probate and estate administration?
Probate is the grant that gives you authority; estate administration is the whole job of dealing with the estate, which we can handle in full.
Can you handle everything so I do not have to?
Yes, that is exactly what our full estate administration service is for.
What if there is no will?
The intestacy rules apply and we handle the letters of administration and the distribution.
How much does it cost?
A clear fixed fee based on the estate, explained up front.