What is probate?
If you’ve lost a parent, partner or relative and are now facing the probate process, it’s natural to have questions, often starting with what probate actually is.
In simple terms, probate is the legal process that gives someone the authority to deal with a person’s estate after they’ve died. It sets out who can take responsibility for gathering assets, dealing with any necessary formalities, and making sure everything is passed on in the right way.
Our probate services
Our probate solicitors in Wigan have the expertise required to handle all kinds of probate cases, from highly complex, contested estates to smaller, simpler administration tasks. Our services include:
- Probate Applications – managing the application process from start to finish, ensuring everything is prepared correctly and submitted to the relevant authorities as efficiently as possible.
- Estate Administration – identifying and valuing assets, corresponding with relevant organisations, settling outstanding liabilities, and preparing the estate for distribution.
- Inheritance Tax Planning – considering the potential impact of Inheritance Tax as part of a wider estate planning strategy and helping you make informed decisions for the future.
- Contentious Probate – protecting your best interests and providing support through disputes over Wills, estate administration, and more.
- Intestacy Administration – resolving the administration of estates where no valid Will exists, in accordance with the statutory rules governing inheritance.
- Trust Administration – overseeing both testamentary trusts and lifetime trust arrangements, supporting the effective management of trust assets and trustee duties.
- Professional Executor Services – undertaking the responsibilities of an executor, ensuring an estate is administered impartially and in line with the terms of the Will.
- International Probate – if your loved one’s estate includes overseas assets and cross-border issues arise, we can assist with the processes required in different jurisdictions.
How do we support you through probate administration?
At the outset, our probate solicitors in Wigan will undertake a comprehensive review of the estate, including a detailed discussion of all relevant matters. This initial assessment enables us to fully understand your objectives, wishes, and any concerns, while identifying potential issues and appropriate strategies for their resolution.
Following this, we will proceed with the application for the Grant of Probate or, where applicable, Letters of Administration on your behalf. This includes the preparation and submission of all necessary documentation and ongoing liaison with the Probate Registry to ensure the efficient progression of the application.
Our probate solicitors in Wigan will also be responsible for the preparation of inheritance tax accounts and for arranging the payment of any tax liabilities due, in accordance with statutory requirements.
Subsequently, we will identify, collect, and accurately value all estate assets. Once this process is complete, we will administer the estate and distribute the assets to the entitled beneficiaries. Throughout the administration, we will maintain comprehensive records to ensure full transparency, accountability, and clarity at every stage.
Why choose our probate solicitors in Wigan?
At Farleys, we’re proud to have received recognition from The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, a reflection of our impressive track record, expertise and commitment to excellence. However small or large your case may be, we’ll approach it with sensitivity, discretion and precision, keeping all processes as straightforward as possible from the outset. We understand the importance of clear communication, so we focus on explaining each stage in plain language, providing regular updates, and making sure you always feel informed and supported while we deal with the legal and administrative details on your behalf.
