Dealing with the death of a loved one, whether a member of the family or a friend, is one of the hardest challenges you may face at possibly one of the most difficult times in your life.
At Quercus Solicitors, we have many years’ experience in dealing with all the various issues and concerns dealing with an estate brings with it. When there’s a Will or there are limited assets, matters may be straightforward. When there is no Will or lots of Inheritance Tax to pay, the situation may be more complicated. The associated problems may be legal, or they may be practical.
We can help you with the immediate aspects of an administration, from the registration of a death, to understanding the terms of a Will, to obtaining a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration. We can also help you sell property, collect assets for distribution, or assist with complex trust arrangements.
No matter how small (with a minimal number of assets) or large (with complex tax and ownership issues involved), we’re here to help. We can explain the way that the estate needs to be reported to HMRC and the Probate Registry, and we have expertise in dealing with foreign assets and tax matters.
Whatever you need to discuss, we will listen and guide you through the process.
How we work with you
If you would like us to assist with the administration of an estate, we will send you our terms and conditions of business with a brief questionnaire to take details from you. We will also need to obtain a copy of your identification and proof of your address.
When we have this information, we will:
- Arrange a meeting with you to discuss how you would like us to help you;
- Discuss whether you can obtain all the information you will need and write to all the organisations that need to be notified;
- Discuss the obtaining of a Grant of Representation with you;
- Advise you of the legal costs involved;
- Discuss the potential Inheritance Tax issues and the mechanics of completion of the relevant Inheritance Tax forms and payment of any Inheritance Tax due; and
- Assist you in completion of the necessary forms and the application for a Grant of Representation on your behalf.
When we have agreed how you would like us to assist you we will:
- Notify organisations of the death;
- Obtain all relevant information for completion of the relevant Inheritance Tax forms;
- Assist you with any payment of Inheritance Tax; and
- Assist you with the completion of the relevant Legal Statement for submission to the Probate Registry and the application for the Grant of Representation.
Our Charges
We will agree with you the cost of the work to be done at the beginning of the matter.
We will provide you with an invoice for the Court Fee for the application of the Grant of Representation at the time the application is made.
If we are instructed to deal with the partial or full administration of an estate, interim invoices will be submitted for payment as progress is made. We will agree the intervals at which invoices are to be submitted with you from the outset of the matter.