Probate

Losing a loved one is always difficult, but it can be especially hard in cases where disputes arise in relation to their Will or Estate.

When someone you love has passed away, the last thing you might be thinking about is debt. However, there are many misconceptions about debt and inheritance, and it is essential to understand your position.

We know how difficult it can be to lose a loved one and we would like to help you by covering some of the basics of dealing with probate.

We know losing a loved one can be a very difficult and emotional time and that being an executor of a will is a big responsibility. This guide is essential reading if you are considering online probate.

Earlier in the year it was announced that a new online service to apply for probate would be introduced. This meant that those applying for probate could do so from the comfort of their own home, potentially negating the need for involvement from a solicitor.

Following the announcement of the snap general election to take place on 8th June, the government has decided to scrap its plans to increase the legal fees due after a person has died. Having proposed a rise in probate fees in England and Wales to come into effect in May, which would have seen an increase from the current flat figures of £155 or £215 to as much as £20,000 for the most valuable estates, the Ministry of Justice announced in the second half of April that there was too little time for the legislation to go through parliament before the election.

We know from experience that when you lose a loved one it is often difficult to know what to do first. This simple guide will help you prioritise between what needs to be done urgently and what can be dealt with later.

Recent research has revealed that the cost of dying is now the fastest rising fixed cost in the UK, ahead of costs of living including rent, utilities and food.

A disputed will has recently been sent to the Court of Appeal to determine whether an estranged daughter is entitled to money from her mother’s estate.

The wills of Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill, Alan Turing and Beatrix Potter are among millions which have been made accessible to the public through a searchable online database.