Assisted probate services
Probate (or confirmation in Scotland) is a court order that asset holders
require before they can release funds. Probate will usually be required if
the value of the estate is more than £5,000 in the name of the deceased
after the funeral has been paid for. Some asset holders have increased
their threshold but there is no set rule and the legal threshold remains to
be at £5,000.
We offer the best assisted probate service on 0800 731 8722
Probate is required whether or not there is a Will and, due to the
possibility of fraud, probate should start as soon as possible.
How long does probate take?
Probate is a complex and time-consuming process, which involves
many organisations, individuals and government departments. For an
average estate, probate takes between six to nine months to complete
and takes up to 80 working hours or quicker when you aquire assisted probate services.
This period includes all the processes
required, from the beginning to when the payments can be made to
the beneficiaries, not just the time from when forms are submitted to
the Probate Registry until the issue of the Grant. However, every case is
different and delays can occur, for example if the asset or liability holders
take a long time to reply.
When to ask for professional advice
It is advisable to consult a professional in the following circumstances:
❚ The Will cannot be found
❚ The Will is not valid
❚ The Will is likely to be contested
❚ The beneficiaries cannot be located
❚ The terms of the Will are not clear
❚ The estate is subject to inheritance tax
❚ The deceased was married, but left no Will and the final value of the
estate is over the inheritance threshold, currently £325,000
❚ There is no Will, the value of the estate is over £250,000 and there is a
spouse or civil partner with children
❚ There is no Will, the value of the estate is over £450,000 and there is a
spouse or civil partner with no children
❚ Part of the estate will be passed to children under the age of 18,
whether there is a Will or not
❚ The deceased has left money or property in trust
❚ The deceased owned a business or was a partner in a business
❚ The deceased owned land or property that has an unregistered title
❚ The deceased owned land or property abroad
