When you are dealing with the loss of someone close to you, choosing a probate lawyer is not only about finding someone with the technical knowledge to administer an estate correctly, though that matters enormously. It is also about finding someone who understands that behind every estate there is a family going through something difficult, and who brings genuine care to the way they handle both the legal work and the people involved in it. Here, our specialist probate team explains how to find a good probate lawyer, and what you should look for.
To speak to our experts, please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
• Expertise
Administering an estate can involve property law, tax law, trust law, and family law, often at the same time. A solicitor who deals with it regularly will have a working knowledge of all of those areas, not just the mechanics of submitting an application to the Probate Registry.
You need a team whose day-to-day work involves probate and estate administration, and who have handled estates with similar characteristics to yours. If the estate includes property, business interests, or inheritance tax considerations, you want to know those are familiar territory rather than something being worked through for the first time.
The wills, trusts and probate team at Bartletts handles the full spectrum of estate administration work, from uncomplicated grants of probate through to complex, high-value estates involving multiple asset classes, inheritance tax planning and contested matters. That depth of experience means we are well placed to assist you with an estate of any nature and size.
• Experience
A probate lawyer with extensive experience will likely have dealt with an estate similar to the one you are handling before. As a result, they will understand where issues may arise, and can address those issues before they become problematic.
We have been helping families across the North West and North Wales with wills, trusts and estates for many years. That long-standing local presence means we understand the practical realities of administering estates in this region, including property markets, local courts, and the specific considerations that come with the families and businesses we work with.
• Cost-Efficiency And Transparency
Many of our clients are understandably concerned about how much instructing a probate lawyer will cost them. At Barletts, we provide clear costs information at the start of every matter and keep you informed throughout. We also recognise that many executors want to manage some aspects of the process themselves, and we are happy to assist on a more targeted basis where that is appropriate, which can reduce costs considerably while still ensuring the more complex elements are handled correctly.
Probate can be complex, and for most clients, the relatively modest cost of professional help is more than justified by the peace of mind they receive in knowing that everything is being handled correctly. Missed inheritance tax exemptions, incorrectly distributed estates, personal liability for debts that were overlooked, or an application rejected by the Probate Registry because of errors in the paperwork all add to the time and cost of estate administration and can significantly delay the resolution of the process.
• Client Care
Probate administration takes time, and it often coincides with losing a loved one. You need a solicitor who keeps you genuinely informed, explains things in plain language, and is accessible when you have questions. A good probate lawyer understands that their clients are navigating grief alongside the legal processes and will approach you case with the sensitivity and empathy it requires.
At Bartlett’s, our approach is to be straightforward, responsive and human throughout, not just at the initial meeting.
• Accessibility
There is a practical case for instructing a solicitor who is geographically close to you and to the estate. Where an estate includes property, a local firm has familiarity with the regional market that can inform valuation advice. Where face-to-face meetings are needed, or where documents need to be signed in person, proximity makes that straightforward rather than logistically difficult.
There is also something less tangible but genuinely important about working with a firm that is embedded in the local community. A solicitor who has practised in an area for a long time, who knows local professionals and institutions, and who has a reputation to maintain in that specific community tends to bring a different level of care and accountability to their work.
Our offices in Liverpool, Chester and Wrexham mean we are readily accessible to clients across the region. Whether you would prefer to come in to see us or to handle everything remotely, we make that as easy as possible and we are available when you need us.
Where To Start
If you are looking for a probate lawyer and would like to understand what working with Bartletts would involve, please get in touch with your nearest office. We are happy to have an initial conversation, give you a straightforward assessment of the estate, and explain clearly how we can help. There is no commitment required, and in our experience, that first conversation tends to make the whole process feel considerably more manageable.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
