Probate Solicitors

Our solicitors can help guide you through the probate process and estate administration. We offer expert legal advice tailored to your individual situation.

Probate Solicitors

What is Probate?

Probate is the term usually used to refer to the legal process of administering a person’s estate after they die. It involves identifying and valuing assets, settling any outstanding debts, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries named in the Will—or according to intestacy rules if there’s no valid Will in place.

For most estates, this process requires obtaining a Grant of Probate, or Grant of Letters of Administration from the Probate Registry. This legal document confirms the Executor or Administrator’s authority to access bank accounts, pay any outstanding debts and taxes, sell property, and manage the estate’s affairs. Without it, most financial institutions and other organisations will refuse to release funds or transfer assets.

Why Use a Probate Solicitor?

While there’s no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor, handling probate yourself can be more complex than it first appears. Executors bear personal liability for the estate—meaning mistakes in tax calculations, missed creditors, or incorrect distributions could leave you financially responsible.

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How We Can Help

At Prosperity Law we offer expert guidance on estate administration, and we can help you through every stage of the Probate process. From the initial application, all the way to the final distribution of assets, we are here to help you.

Our compassionate team have many years of experience in dealing with estates of all sizes and values, including high value and complex estates where legal expertise is paramount. We help reduce stress during what is already a difficult time, by taking care of the legal burden so you can focus on your family.

As Executors/Administrators in England and Wales are personally liable for the estate they are administering, our professional oversight and knowledge helps mitigate any unnecessary risks involved.

We operate as a full-service law firm; you can therefore have access to family and property solicitors with us as well, saving you time and effort to find other specialist solicitors should the need arise. We also have an excellent referral network for any tax, accountancy or financial matters.

Our Probate Costs

We have two options for costs in relation to our probate services. A limited service and a full administration service. You can view our costings for our limited service here and you can also view the costings for a full administration service here.

Our Probate Experience

Full administration of the estate of a deceased person
Charlotte Keating is dealing with the full administration of the estate of a deceased person, which has a large Inheritance Tax liability and other estate liabilities. The multi-million-pound estate has limited assets, aside from shares in a private limited company and an extremely large directors’ loan.

The estate is extremely complex given the nature of the assets, lack of liquidity and difficult family dynamics, all of which need to be managed carefully.

Charlotte has provided advice to the Executor and is working collaboratively with the company director and the companies’ professional advisors towards a solution that enable the business to continue to operate, whilst ensuring the estate requirements and liabilities are being met.
Assisted the Executors of an estate of a deceased person who had a UK estate in excess of £15 million
Charlotte Keating assisted the Executors of an estate of a deceased person who had a UK estate in excess of £15 million, with overseas assets in various countries totalling £21 million. Charlotte had provided estate planning advice to the deceased and his family, well before his death and due to the planning, that was done prior to his passing, and some additional after death planning, the estate paid no Inheritance Tax in the UK.

The estate had significant business interests involving complex company structures and cross-company loans. Charlotte provided specialist advice relating to these assets and a successful claim for Business Relief (formally Business Property Relief or BPR), amounting to circa £11 million was approved, as well as a high-level claim for habitual gifts out of income for Inheritance Tax purposes.

Charlotte worked closely with other professionals, including overseas succession lawyers, and prepared documents such as Affidavits to assist with the legal requirements overseas, and providing advice and solutions to ensure that potential beneficiaries who were resident overseas were not subjected to punitive tax arrangements of their resident country.
Estate Administration with outdated Will
Charlotte and the team dealt with the administration of the estate of a deceased person who died with a very old Will that was not suitable to the deceased’s circumstances and family life at the time of his death.

The estate comprised of high value collections (paintings and motor cars), rental properties and business interests, as well as overseas assets, combined with large amounts of debt.

The Will as prepared had no living Executors, and the firm that had been appointed as a professional Executor had ceased trading. It also resulted in a large Inheritance Tax liability.

The estate was extremely complex given the nature and location of the assets, and the lack of liquidity. The deceased kept his affairs extremely private and as such multiple searches for assets have had to take place overseas. The deceased died overseas, and arrangements had to be made to repatriate the body.

Charlotte provided advice to the beneficiaries of the estate. By utilising Deed of Variations and trust structures, the estates Inheritance Tax liability was reduced to nil.

The team worked with overseas lawyers to assist with the sale of the overseas assets.
Full administration of a complex estate involving multiple trusts
Charlotte and the team have assisted with the full administration of a complex estate involving multiple trusts, lifetime and on death, complex family arrangements and disputes, and extremely vulnerable beneficiaries.

All aspects of this estate have been challenged from the funeral arrangements to the release / collection of personal possessions ad occupation of properties. Advice has been provided regarding the trusts, capacity concerns and care provision for vulnerable beneficiaries, and Inheritance Tax planning.
Assistance to an Executor in relation to an estate of a non-domiciled individual
Charlotte and the team provided advice and assistance to an Executor in relation to an estate of a non-domiciled individual. The deceased was a musician and received royalties from UK based music publishers.

The team undertook the complex task of valuing the royalties for Inheritance Tax purposes and liaised with HMRC’s Shares and Asset valuation’s (SAV) team.

This matter involved applying to the Court for a reseal of a foreign Grant.
Administer the estate of a deceased which included business interests
The team had been instructed to administer the estate of a deceased which included business interests. The family business operated as a partnership and the business assets and personal assets were difficult to differentiate as there was a clear mix up of business assets and personal assets during the lifetime of the deceased.

Claims were made for Business Relief and Agricultural Relief to reduce the estates Inheritance Tax liability to nil, and Charlotte worked with HMRC’s compliance department following a compliance check and detailed review of the claims made on the account.

The estate had additional complexity due to the poor drafting of the Will of the deceased, and the potential claim that a beneficiary had against the estate.

Charlotte and the team worked with the Executor and the beneficiaries to reach a suitable solution that tended to the issues of the estate and the poor drafting with the Will.

Why Work With Us?

Partner-led Service

Our probate team is led by Charlotte Keating who will be your point of contact during your matter with us.

Highly experienced team

Not only is our Probate team highly experienced and has seen it all, we are part of a full service law firm offering property and family advice as well.

Fast and efficient service

Agile team ready to guide you through the process, helping to reduce stress for you at a difficult time

Contact Our Solicitors

What Our Clients Say

“Thanks for all your help and guidance – you’ve both helped massively and made the long process so much easier. It’s made us realise we need to sort our wills so will be in touch to try and sort those!”

Mrs E

“I would like to thank you and Bethany for all your help sorting the trust out”

Mrs O

This is my second time engaging Prosperity Law. The first, a probate matter with Paul McGee, and more recently estate planning with Charlotte Keating. On both occasions, I’ve been impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail. Friendly, courteous and knowledgeable, I’d have no hesitation recommending Prosperity Law for any legal matter.

Chris Shields

“Once again both Helen and I would like to thank you for the support and assistance you have provided to navigate the IHT process. It greatly reduced our stress and pressure during difficult times.”

Mrs R and Miss W

“Must say, we have been really impressed with the your professionalism and the guidance you have given us.

A breath of fresh air !”

Mr & Mrs W

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration?
How long does the probate take?
The probate process refers to the administration of an estate of a deceased person. A typical estate would be administered within 9 – 12 months.

This would involve gathering the information required to complete an Inheritance Tax Return (if required) and submit an application to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Probate (where there is a Will) or a Grant of Letters of Administration (when there is no Will), collecting in the assets of the deceased, settling liabilities, and distributing them in accordance with the terms of the Will and/or intestacy.

Where the deceased had business interests, overseas assets, multiple properties, or where there are missing beneficiaries, the process can take much longer.
What does an Executor/ Administrator do?
The Administrator/Executor (also commonly referred to as a Personal Representative) is responsible for administering the estate of the person who has died.

The Personal Representative is required to obtain full details and valuations of all assets and liabilities of the deceased, complete an Inheritance Tax Return and pay any Inheritance Tax due, apply for a Grant, collect in the assets, settle liabilities and distribute those to the beneficiaries.

The Personal Representative is required to settle all taxes relating to the estate and the deceased.
Does an Executor/ Administrator have any liability?
How much does probate cost?
The cost of probate varies dependent on whether a probate solicitor is instructed to act on your behalf.

At Prosperity Law LLP probate specialists offer 2 different services. The first is a limited service where our probate lawyers are instructed to obtain a Grant of Probate only and complete the Inheritance Tax (IHT) Return, but the Executors/Administrators deal with the rest of the estate administration. This is charged on a fixed price basis, and the prices can be found here.

Alternatively, our probate specialists offer the service of full administration. This is where the full details as to the estate are ascertained, including the completion of the Inheritance Tax Return and applying for the Grant, collecting in the assets, settling the liabilities and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries. The cost of this varies dependent upon the complexities of the estate. Complex estates are likely to include business assets, overseas assets, the involvement of trust, and missing beneficiaries.

Whilst the fees are charged on a time spent basis, a price guide can be found here.

In addition, the Probate Registry charge the following fees:

£300 – Probate Registry fee; and

£16 per additional Grant required.
What is a Deed of Variation also known as a Family Arrangement?
A Deed of Variation is a document whereby a beneficiary who receives an entitlement under an estate (either via a Will or intestacy), redirects their entitlement to either another person(s) and/or a trust.

Examples of common circumstances in which Deeds of Variations are as follows:

Where a beneficiary wishes to pass on their entitlement to their children as a way of reducing their own Inheritance Tax liability;

for care fee planning;

to correct perceived errors in the Will;

to provide for individuals who may not have been provided for under the laws of intestacy (such as a step-child or a partner of the deceased), or

to reduce the estates exposure to Inheritance Tax.

For a Deed of Variation to be effective for IHT and CGT purposes, the Deed of Variation must take place within 2 years of the date of death of the deceased.

A Deed of Variation can be done both before, or after, obtaining the Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration.

Meet Our Probate Solicitors

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Probate Solicitors

Probate Solicitors

Our solicitors can help guide you through the probate process and estate administration. We offer expert legal advice tailored to your individual situation.