Probate Solicitors London

Supportive and caring probate services for clients at an appropriate cost.

Probate Solicitors in Greenwich

Our Probate FeesProbate FAQs

Probate is a complex legal process that can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when dealing with the loss of a loved one. You may feel inundated with the amount of work you may need to do, especially when you are grieving.

It is often recommended that you let an experienced solicitor deal with probate, especially if it will be complicated and involve large amount of assets or beneficiaries.

How can Freeman Harris’s Solicitors help you with probate?

Freeman Harris Solicitors can guide you in the complex process of administering an estate when someone has passed away.

Our probate solicitors offer personalised and comprehensive assistance to help you navigate the probate process with ease and fulfil your loved one’s last wishes.

From preparing the necessary documents and filing them with the court to managing the distribution of assets and resolving any disputes, we are here to support you every step of the way.

Whether you are dealing with a simple or complex estate, we have the expertise and experience to help you get through this difficult time.

Please contact us using our form below, call us on 0207 790 7311 or email contact@freemanharris.co.uk.

Private Client Team

Francesca Nelson

Francesca is our established Solicitor who deals with all probate matters. She has a deep understanding of all legal aspects of wills and probate.

Catherine carries out a broad range of private client work which include the all family law related work. Her expertise is in resolving family law matters.

Phuong Troung

Rohana works on all all legal aspects of private client matters and can assist you in our Dunstable branch.

Isabel assists the private client department with all the initial information gathering and research work, which helps drive the department to get fair results for clients.

What our clients say?

Common Probate Questions

What is a Grant of Probate? Do I need one?

A Grant of Probate is a legal document that proves the validity of a will and gives the executor the authority to manage and distribute the deceased person’s assets. In most cases, a Grant of Probate is required when the deceased person had assets in their sole name, such as property or investments, which need to be transferred to the beneficiaries.

Whether or not you need a Grant of Probate depends on the specific circumstances of the estate. If the estate is small and does not include any real property, a Grant of Probate may not be necessary.

Besides, if a person dies without a will, a Grant of Letters of Administration will be required instead of the Grant of Probate.

If you are unsure whether you need a Grant of Probate, please contact us.

What are the stages of Probate?

As every case is unique the exact probate process can vary depending on the instructions left in the Will and the complexity of the estate.

Generally, the process includes the following steps:

1. Identifying and locating the assets and potential debts.

2. Filing the necessary court documents to initiate the probate process: filling the Will, apply for the Grant of Probate/ Letters of  Administration.

3. Paying debts and taxes

4. Distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the will.

Navigating the probate process can be tricky and unpredictable, with timelines ranging anywhere from a few months to several years. Unfortunately, disputes between parties involved in probate proceedings might increase complexity levels and extend the timeframe.

No Will has been left. Do I still need to go through probate?

If your loved one passes away without leaving a Will behind or if their Will is deemed invalid, obtaining a Grant of Probate is not possible.

In such cases, the distribution of their estate will be determined by the laws of intestacy in the state or country where they lived (only spouses, civil partners, children, and other close relatives can inherit under these rules).

Thus, you may still apply to administer the estate and distribute the assets with a Grant of letters of Administration. The role of the administrator is similar to that of an executor in a typical probate process.

I have got a Will, why do I need a Probate?

A probate is a legal process that is required to prove the validity of a will and to administer the deceased person’s estate. If a person dies leaving a will, the probate gives the executor named in the will the legal authority to manage and distribute the assets according to the terms of the will.

Even if a will is in place, it usually is necessary to go through the probate process if the deceased person had assets in their sole name, such as a bank account or real estate. Indeed, financial institutions, government agencies, and other parties involved in the administration of the estate may require proof of the executor’s authority, which is provided by the Grant of Probate.

In a few rare cases, for instance, if the value of the estate consists solely of cash funds, the requirement for a grant of Probate may be waived.

How much does Probate cost?

The cost of probate can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of the estate and the amount of work required to administer it.

Some of the factors that can affect the cost of probate include:

• The value of the estate

• The number and location of assets

• The number of beneficiaries

• The number of disputes or challenges to the will

As it is difficult to provide a precise estimate of the cost without considering the specific circumstances of your estate, contact us today to discuss your situation and get a breakdown of our probate fees!

ServiceFeesVATTotal
Single WillsFrom £500£100From £600
Mirror WillsFrom £700£140From £840
ProbateFrom £2750£550From £3300
Lasting Power of AttorneyFrom £350£70From £420

Contact us to discuss your wills, trusts and probate

Discuss your matter with us.

+44 (0)207 790 7311