DEALING WITH AN ESTATE

When someone dies it can be a difficult and sometimes overwhelming task to sort out their affairs. You will first of all need the legal right to be able to deal with the person’s estate. If the person who died did not leave a Will this can make the process of dealing with their affairs more complicated.

Depending on the assets that the deceased left you may need to apply for a grant of representation (often commonly referred to as a grant of probate) from the probate registry before you are able to deal with any of the deceased’s assets. You may have inheritance tax to pay and complex forms to complete.

WHY SHOULD I USE A SOLICITOR?

You don’t have to use a solicitor to deal with someone’s estate when they die. A personal representative can choose to deal with the estate personally but depending on the circumstances this process can become complex and time consuming. Our probate team at RJS Solicitors have years of experience in dealing with the estates of people who die and can easily guide you through the process.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Identify whether the deceased left a Will and explain what the Will means

Advise on what happens to the estate if the deceased did not leave a Will

Valuing the estate, calculating any inheritance tax that may need to be paid and ensuring that the forms are submitted on time

Advise on whether a grant of representation is required for the estate and make the application to the probate registry

Identify and collect the assets of the person who died

Arrange for funeral expenses to be paid

Calculate any inheritance tax that may need to be paid and ensure that the appropriate forms are submitted on time

Identify and advise on digital assets and/or accounts held by the deceased

Identify and pay any debts e.g. loans, credit cards, utility bills

Distribute the estate to the beneficiaries