When someone dies, you will often be left facing the legal, financial and practical implications of dealing with that person’s estate at a time when you are also struggling to deal with the emotional impact of your loved one’s passing. At these times, having the right sensitive, clear legal advice and support can make all the difference.
Estate Administration Solicitors in Bristol
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- Tom Gabb
- Partner
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- Margaret Grundy
- Partner
At Henriques Griffiths we understand that this can be an extremely challenging time and can offer the expertise you need to make dealing with your loved one’s estate as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.
If you are named as an executor in a Will, you will have serious responsibilities not only to the beneficiaries of the estate, but also to make sure that any legitimate debts and taxes are paid and any claims against the estate are settled. If no Will has been left, you may need help to get control of the deceased’s estate in order to make sure their dependants are taken care of.
Our estate administration team can guide and support you through the entire administration of an estate from start to finish, providing exactly as much help and advice as you need.
Whether you want advice on a specific issue, such as applying for Grant of Probate or Letters or Administration, or would like us to handle the whole process for you, our goal is to make sure you have the right support to ensure your loved one’s estate is handled the right way.
Speak to one of our Administration of Estates solicitors now by calling 0117 909 4000 or contact your local Henriques Griffiths office in Bristol or Winterbourne.
Our Administration of Estates services
Whatever your situation, our team can provide the compassionate, practical support needed to see you through this difficult time and ensure no detail is overlooked.
Acting as the Executor of a Will
If you are named as the Executor or one of the Executors of a Will, this role comes with significant legal responsibilities. While you do not have to accept the role, if you do, it will be up to you to make sure the deceased’s death is properly registered, that their estate is valued, any inheritance tax due is paid promptly and the estate is divided according to their wishes.
Our team can assist you with issues including:
- Registering the death of the deceased
- Investigating and recording all of the deceased’s assets
- Valuing the estate
- Preparing tax returns for inheritance tax, income tax and capital gains tax (as applicable)
- Ensuring all of the appropriate taxes, expenses and any outstanding debts owed by the deceased are paid
- Applying to the Probate Registry for Grant of Probate (giving you the legal authority to administer the estate)
- Selling property and collecting assets
- Ensuring the beneficiaries receive their inheritance e.g. paying out cash bequests, transferring ownership of assets etc.
- Having detailed accounts prepared to show how the estate was dealt with
Estate administration when there is no Will
When someone dies without leaving a Will, this is known as ‘dying intestate’ and can make sorting out their estate much more complicated.
Who inherits when there is no Will is decided by the standard ‘rules of intestacy’ set out by the government. It will depend on the size of the estate and what surviving family members the deceased has.
Whoever takes responsibility for sorting out the estate will need to apply for a ‘grant of letters of administration’ making them the administrator of the estate. They will then have the same duties and responsibilities as an Executor of a Will, including valuing the estate, paying any relevant tax and distributing the estate according to the intestacy rules.
Our estate administration experts can support you through the whole process of dealing with the estate of a loved one who has not left a Will, helping to make this often challenging process as straightforward and stress-free as we can.
Professional estate administration
If you would prefer to have us handle the entire estate administration process, our team can take care of all the details for you, keeping you updated at all times so you can be confident that everything is properly taken care of.
Why choose Henriques Griffiths’ Administration of Estates solicitors?
Our lawyers are highly experienced in estate administration for everything from straightforward estates to those that are much more complex and/or high value.
Our team includes members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) reflecting the strength of our expertise in these matters.
Working alongside our Wills, Trusts and Probate team, we have a Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accredited residential property team who can advise and assist you with all of the property aspects of estate administration, including selling property, remortgaging and transfer of equity.
Henriques Griffiths is Lexcel accredited by the Law Society for our excellent practice management and client care. We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) providing assurance that we continually meet the highest legal and professional standards.
Get in touch with our Administration of Estates solicitors
For help with any aspect of Administration of Estates, please call us on 0117 909 4000 or use the links below to make an enquiry or request a call back.