If you are searching for “probate specialists near me”, you are likely facing of the most difficult periods of your life following the death of a loved one. As well as coping with the loss of someone close to you, you may also be tasked with handling a range of complex practical tasks, such as finalising your loved one’s affairs and administering their estate.
At Bartlett’s, we specialise in assisting clients in navigating the complicated probate process. We are committed to offering exceptional legal advice combined with outstanding standards of client care at competitive rates.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
What Does Probate Mean?
If you are responsible for administering a loved one’s estate, either as an executor or administrator (if they did not leave a will), you likely need probate before you can begin carrying out your duties. Probate is essentially the legal authority to handle the estate of someone who has passed away.
If the estate is especially small and straightforward, for example, a single bank account holding a few hundred pounds, you may not need probate before you can administer the estate. In most cases, though, probate will be required. If the estate comprises property, property is always needed before you can start work.
Once you have obtained probate, you can carry out your functions as an executor or administrator. Some examples of those tasks include the following:
• Accessing funds held in bank or building society accounts.
• Valuing assets such as property and investments
• Clearing outstanding debts and paying tax.
• Collecting in the estate and distributing it according to the will (or intestacy rules if there isn’t one).
Can You Obtain Probate And Administer The Estate Yourself?
Some families consider handling probate themselves. If the estate for which you are responsible is particularly small and simple, this may be viable. However, most executors and administrators seek legal advice for some or all of the probate process. Some of the reasons why they choose to do so include the following:
• The Estate Is Complicated
Some estates include a variety of assets, such as property, business interests, and overseas investments. In these cases, it is rarely a good idea to attempt to handle probate without professional support, since the process will undoubtedly be complex and difficult to navigate.
• Personal Liability
Many executors and administrators fail to appreciate that they can be held personally liable for any losses their actions cause the estate to incur. That means that if you do something wrong, you may be forced to make good any financial losses from your own pocket.
• Unexpected Complications
Even simple assets can encounter unexpected complications, such as disputes between beneficiaries. Probate specialists are well-versed in the potential pitfalls inherent in the probate process, meaning that they can pre-empt and address them before they become problematic and expensive.
Do I Need Probate Specialists Near Me?
Many families dealing with probate choose probate solicitors located nearby for a variety of reasons, including the following:
• Local probate specialists can provide face-to-face support. Probate is a deeply personal, sensitive matter. Having someone you can sit down with and get to know can ease the burden and make the process seem far less overwhelming.
• Local property expertise. Many estates involve property sales. A solicitor with local knowledge of the housing market can liaise effectively with estate agents and conveyancers.
• Friend or family recommendations. Local probate specialists like ours often build reputations over decades, having helped generations of local families with probate and estate administration matters
• Ease of communication. Being close to your probate specialists means that administrative tasks, such as providing any original documents your legal team requires, like wills, death certificates, or ID, is far easier than when your probate specialist is located elsewhere.
In short, choosing ‘probate specialists near me’ enables you to access professional legal expertise in a familiar, supportive environment, which can be particularly pertinent when you are also dealing with the loss of a loved one.
How Much Do Probate Specialists Near Me Charge?
At Bartlett’s, we firmly believe that everyone should have access to specialist probate advice at affordable rates. That is why we keep our rates incredibly competitive and provide our clients with a formal quote from the outset to avoid them facing unexpected costs down the line. Only when we have received your approval to that quote will we begin work on your matter.
We charge on an hourly rate, which does not exceed £200 plus VAT. To ensure our costs remain proportionate to the size of the estate, we offer further reassurance that our total fee will not exceed 2% of the gross value of the estate.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
