Probate

Administration of Estates 

Facing up to death and its consequences is one of the hardest things that any of us have to cope with.  If you are the personal representative of someone’s estate, it can often be daunting and difficult to deal with administering the estate while coping with the loss of a relative or friend.  As personal representative you will be responsible for assessing all property, possessions, money and other investments, collecting those due to the estate, paying any tax due and dividing the estate among those entitled to this.  This may involve completion of any tax forms and obtaining a Grant of Probate.  Our private client team has extensive experience in dealing with assets when someone dies and can help the personal representatives with their responsibilities in dealing with an estate to efficiently and sensitively guide you through this difficult time.  This can include assisting with the payment of inheritance tax or other tax, sales or transfers of property, payment of debts and the correct distribution of the estate.

A guide to our fees are set out and can be viewed by clicking here.

A meeting can be arranged at our offices or we are very willing to visit you at home to outline the process involved in dealing with the assets and if necessary the process involved in obtaining a Grant of Probate after the death of a loved one.

Our experts in this area are Trevor Price, Lissa Brogden, Charlotte Birtles, Matthew Rogers, Rebecca Adams, Lauren Wharton, Millie Coates, Katie BIrd and Kate Taylor. They can be contacted on the numbers below or by e-mail on [email protected]

Contentious Probate 

Contentious Probate is a dispute in relation to a Will or to someone’s estate.  Whether you wish to contest or are on the receiving end of someone contesting a Will or estate this can be extremely demanding as by their nature disputes over inheritance occur at times of emotional vulnerability and distress.

Arnison Heelis specialise in this often complex area of law providing sympathetic support and advice aimed at meeting our clients’ needs to find resolution as quickly and efficiently as possible.  Some of the more frequently encountered situations where we are asked to advise include:

• Dissatisfaction with the financial provision received out of the deceased person’s estate whether under the terms of the Will or on the rules upon Intestacy.
• Unanticipated gifts made by a relative late in his or her life.
• Lost or destroyed Wills.
• Contesting a Will.
• Wills made under duress or undue influence or where the person concerned did not sufficiently understand what he or she was doing.
• Allegations of property being misappropriated by relatives.
• Disputes between executors or beneficiaries and trustees or executors.
• Negotiating settlements to avoid the cost of litigation where appropriate.

There are important time limits – sometimes as short as six months from the date of death in which to bring a claim.  Therefore, it is vital to seek advice at a very early stage if a claim is to be successful.

Our expert in this area is Michael Robson who can called on the numbers below or emailed at [email protected]