Step-by-step guidance for administering estates
Administering the estate of a loved one who has passed away can seem confusing and intimidating, with a number of important steps that must be carried out correctly. Having the support of our approachable and highly experienced estate administration solicitors can make your life easier and give you peace of mind.
Whether you have been named as the Executor of a Will or need to deal with the estate of a loved one who has died without leaving a Will, there are various important legal requirements you must carry out. Our estate administration team can help you with individual tasks, such as securing probate or valuing the estate, or we can handle the entire administration of the estate for you.
Our goal is to offer all of the support you need to make dealing with the estate of your loved one as simple and stress-free as possible, while giving you confidence that no detail has been overlooked or vital step missed out.
Speak to our estate administration solicitors in Sidcup, the London Borough of Bexley, Kent
For friendly, expert help with administering an estate, please speak in confidence to one of our team now by calling 020 8300 9321 or emailing enquiries@wmk-law.com.
How we can help you with estate administration
Valuing the estate
The first step of administering an estate is working out its value. We can help you identify all of the assets contained within the estate, including property, savings, shares and investment, then have the estate accurately valued.
Dealing with Inheritance Tax
Once you know the value of the estate, you will need to work out whether there is any Inheritance Tax (IHT) due and ensure this is paid. We can help you understand whether the estate is liable for IHT (taking account of the relevant ‘nil rate band’), report this to HMRC and handle payment of any tax due where required.
You must pay any Inheritance Tax due by the end of the sixth month after the deceased’s date of death, so it is vital this is carried out quickly and efficiently.
Applying for Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
Once the estate has been valued and any Inheritance Tax paid, we can help you gain control of the estate by applying for Grant of Probate (where there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (where there is no Will).
This will give you the legal authority to distribute the assets in the estate according to the wishes of the deceased (or the laws of intestacy where there is no Will).
Contacting the beneficiaries of the Will
We can contact the beneficiaries of the Will on your behalf. We can advise you on options for finding beneficiaries who are hard to locate and where a beneficiary has passed away, we can advise you on how their portion of the estate should be dealt with.
Dealing with the estate assets
Our estate administration solicitors can help you to sell assets such as property and shares where required and assist with issues such as gaining access to bank accounts and other key assets.
Transferring bequests to the beneficiaries
We can handle the transfer of assets to the beneficiaries or the estate, including issues such as transferring ownership of property.
Preparing estate accounts
As part of administering an estate, you are legally required to produce proper estate accounts. We can advise you on this, including connecting you with relevant professionals where required, to make sure this process is handled properly.
Dealing with inheritance disputes
If there are any disputes in relation to the contents or validity of the Will, claims against the estate or disputes over how the administration of the estate has been handled, we can advise and represent you as required.
Our estate administration fees
The cost of administering an estate will depend on the circumstances, but we aim for complete transparency, so will happily provide a quote with a complete breakdown of our fees and any third-party costs involved.
Many of our estate administration services can be offered on a fixed-fee basis, while others will be charged according to a pre-agreed hourly rate.
For an indication of how much our estate administration services might cost, please take a look at our probate fees.
Estate Administration FAQs
What does administer the estate mean?
This covers the entire process of dealing with the estate of someone who has passed away, either carrying the wishes set out in the deceased’s Will or following the rules of intestacy where there was no Will.
What does an estate administrator do?
The estate administrator has various tasks they will need to complete, including finding out what is contained within the estate, having the estate valued, paying any Inheritance Tax due, distributing the assets of the estate to the beneficiaries and preparing estate accounts.
How do you become an administrator of an estate?
You will need to apply for Grant of Probate if there was a Will or Letters of Administration if there was no Will.
How long does it take to get letters of administration?
This will depend on the circumstances, but you can usually secure Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration within around 3-6 months.
Why our estate administration solicitors are the right choice for you
Our estate administration lawyers have many years of experience dealing with both straightforward and more complex estates, including high value estates. We offer a sensitive, professional approach to help effectively guide you through this challenging time.
Our team includes members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global professional association for lawyers dealing with inheritance issues, including probate and estate administration, and Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), a national organisation for lawyers specialising in supporting older and vulnerable clients with their legal needs.
Find out more about our accreditations.
Contact our estate administration solicitors in Sidcup now
Whether you have already begun probate or aren’t sure how to get started, we can offer clear legal guidance and sensitive support, helping to ensure every detail is properly handled while keeping things as simple and stress-free as possible for you and your loved ones.
To speak to one of our estate administration solicitors in Sidcup in complete confidence, please call 020 8300 9321 or email enquiries@wmk-law.com. Alternatively, contact us here where you can fill in our quick online enquiry form, so we can get back to you.
