Losing a loved one is always difficult and people are often quite shocked at the amount of paperwork involved in dealing with someone’s estate. At this difficult time, solicitors can take away the burden of the paperwork and help grieving family members to deal with their loved one’s affairs.

Clients often come to see us regarding an estate and are overwhelmed by the amount of work involved in dealing with a family member’s affairs once they have passed away. Here at Jackson Lees we offer a variety of services and can help as little or as much as you wish.

Typically, we will make an appointment to discuss the Will and the estate of the deceased with the family and review their options.

People often think that if they have the Will they can deal with everything using that document.

This is not always the case and in a lot of cases a grant of probate will be required in order to deal with someone’s affairs. If a family member passes away without a Will you may also require a grant in order to deal with their estate.

At this initial meeting we can discuss the various issues that may be experienced when dealing with an estate and offer our services in taking the burden off the family and dealing with the relevant paperwork.

Employing a solicitor to deal with a relative’s estate ensures that the estate is dealt with in accordance with the terms of the Will, lessening the burden on family and friends. Full records are kept and sent to beneficiaries confirming all movements in the estate and ensuring that all funds are distributed as the deceased wished.

Here at Jackson Lees can help and advise you on the following issues that you will face:

• Notifying the relevant people of the individual's death
• Obtaining the required probate valuations for both assets and liabilities
• Completing the necessary forms and accounts for HMRC
• Agreeing with the HMRC how much inheritance tax is payable (if applicable)
• Applying to the Probate Registry for the grant of probate or grant of letters of administration (where there is no will) which establishes the authority of the person dealing with the estate and the validity of the will 
• Consider alternatives which would best accommodate a beneficiary’s needs or reduce inheritance tax eg, by varying the terms of the will
• Collect in the assets, pay bills and finally distribute the estate to the beneficiaries
• Prepare the formal estate accounts

The range of expertise and experience within our Wills, Trusts & Probate department allows us to be in an unrivalled position in offering specialist advice and guidance through what can be a tough time following the death of a loved one.

No matter how simple or how complex the affairs are, whether there was a Will written or not, our experts can help and alleviate the stress and heartache involved.

If you would like any more advice regarding Estate Administration and Wills and LPA’s, please call us free on 0151 282 1700, email enquiry@jacksonlees.co.uk, request a callback at your convenience, or message us your enquiry