A quiet walk along the Suffolk coast near Lowestoft — estates and probate solicitors

Probate and Estate Administration

Dealing with a loved one's estate after they die is rarely straightforward, and it often falls to people who are already exhausted from grief.

Knowing what needs to happen, and in what order, can feel overwhelming. We're here to make that process as manageable as possible.

Get in touch

How we can help with probate and estate administration.

When someone dies, their estate usually needs to go through a legal process before their assets can be distributed. We can guide you through as much or as little of that as you need.

Grants of Representation

Applying for Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration so you have the authority to deal with the estate.

Estate Administration

Collecting assets, settling debts, dealing with tax obligations and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

Flexible Support

Help with as much or as little as you need, from the initial application through to full administration.

No Will? We Can Help

Guidance on the rules of intestacy and what they mean for your specific situation.

Get in touch

Dealing with a loved one's estate after they die is rarely straightforward, and it often falls to people who are already exhausted from grief. Knowing what needs to happen, and in what order, can feel overwhelming. We're here to make that process as manageable as possible.

When someone dies, their estate usually needs to go through a legal process before their assets can be distributed. We can guide you through as much or as little of that as you need.

What is a Grant of Representation?

Before most banks, financial institutions and other organisations will release the assets belonging to someone who has died, they require legal proof that you have the authority to deal with the estate. That proof takes the form of a Grant of Representation.

If the person who died left a will, this is called a Grant of Probate. If they died without a will, it is called Letters of Administration. In both cases, the process involves collating information about the estate, completing the necessary paperwork and making a formal application to the Probate Registry.

It's worth knowing that a grant isn't always required. Where an estate is very small, or where assets were held jointly and pass automatically to the surviving owner, it may not be necessary. We can advise you quickly on whether this applies to your situation.

This stage can be time-consuming and detailed, particularly where the estate includes property, investments or other complex assets. We handle this work regularly and know how to navigate it efficiently.

What happens after the grant is issued?

Once the Grant of Representation has been issued, the estate can be administered. This involves collecting the assets, settling any outstanding debts and liabilities, dealing with tax obligations and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries in accordance with the will; or, where there was no will, in accordance with the rules of intestacy.

This second stage can take some time depending on the complexity of the estate, and it carries real responsibility. If it isn't handled correctly, executors can find themselves personally liable.

How we can help

We offer support at either or both stages, depending on what you need.

Some people prefer to apply for the grant themselves and then manage the administration independently. Others want us to handle everything from start to finish. Many fall somewhere in between, perhaps needing help with the initial application but taking over themselves once the grant is in place.

There's no pressure to commit to more than you need. We'll talk through your situation and give you a clear picture of what's involved before you decide how much support you'd like.

For details on our fees for probate and estate administration, please see our fees page.

If there was no will

If your loved one died without leaving a will, the rules of intestacy determine who inherits their estate. These rules don't always reflect what the person would have wanted, and they can produce outcomes that feel unexpected; particularly for unmarried partners or step-children. We can explain how the rules apply to your specific situation and help you understand what your options are.

We can come to you

We know that at a difficult time, coming into an office isn't always easy. Our team regularly visits clients at home, in care homes and in hospital; something many firms simply don't offer. Our offices are in Lowestoft, Norwich and Great Yarmouth, and we work with families across East Anglia and beyond.

If you'd like to talk through what needs to happen, get in touch. We'll listen first and take it from there.

Transparent about fees.

Dealing with an estate is hard enough without worrying about cost. We offer two levels of service depending on how much help you need, with fixed-fee options where we can.

Before any work begins, we'll give you a clear written estimate setting out our fees and any disbursements, so you know exactly where you stand. If anything changes the likely cost, we'll talk it through with you before going any further.

View our private client fees