Obtaining Probate

Image of Signing a Document

What do you do when someone dies?

Quite apart form your emotional shock, you are suddenly thrust into a world of new and unfamiliar concepts – funeral arrangements, probate, letters of administration, executors, administrators, personal representatives, oaths to probate registry, legacies, will trusts, residuary estates, estate accounts – just to name a few. We know them all and can guide you through the maze. At Hewetts we can offer a complete probate service, relieving close relatives of what can be an onerous task of dealing with an estate at a time when you have lost someone close to you. We pride ourselves in offering a professional yet completely personal service in helping with the administration of an estate during difficult times.

An Executor or Administrator’s responsibilities are often much more extensive than many realise. Additionally they swear an Oath to the Courts to make sure that everything is carried out correctly and are accountable for producing all necessary records concerning the estate.

The Executor is the person appointed by the Will to carry out the various tasks required by the Will. An Administrator would deal with the same tasks, where there is no Will. Our Probate Department can help by taking a lot of this burden away from you in dealing with the estate. The final estate accounts will give you that all important comprehensive record for future reference.

Once you have handed over all necessary paper work we will do the rest. We will collect in details of the estate, including all the assets and details of any debts. We will arrange for the Oath for Executors to be completed which will allow for a grant of probate to be obtained. All estates now require returns to be made to the Inland Revenue irrespective of the size of the estate. We will prepare these for you.

Once the Grant of Probate is received we will arrange for the monies to be collected and any debts to be paid and monies paid to the beneficiaries.

We will endeavour to deal with all probate matters as quickly and efficiently as possible as often closure in terms of your personal grieving cannot be obtained until the deceased affairs are settled.

On straight forward estates we can now even offer a fixed fee for dealing with this for you. This will take away the uncertainty in not knowing what your costs will be.

We are already dealing with estates from all over the country so your location would not be an issue for us.

Hewetts News

30/09/2008: New Employment Protection for Clergy

Church of England Clergy to get better employment rights under new case Read +

04/09/2008: Stamp Duty Changes

The government has announced that with effect from 3rd September 2008 changes to stamp duty... Read +

01/08/2008: Hewetts Newsletter for July 2008

Hewetts welcome a new partner to its Family and Matrimonial department Read +

08/07/2008: Hewetts’ Success at House of Lords

During the summer we acted for a client who successfully took her case to the House of Lords. Read +

08/07/2008: Employers to be Liable for Employees Who Drive While Using Mobile Phones

On 1 December 2003, the Government made the use by drivers of hand-held mobile phones and similar communication devices unlawful. Read +

20/06/2008: Why should you choose Hewetts to produce your HIP?

Home Information Packs become a compulsory part Of selling your home from June 1st 2007 Read +

01/01/2008: Hewetts Newsletter for January 2008

How we can help you get through the credit crunch? Read +

01/08/2007: Hewetts Newsletter for August 2007

Hewetts celebrate 40 years of service from one of its consultants Read +

01/04/2007: Hewetts Newsletter for April 2007

Spring. A time to get things in order. Read +

For a free initial discussion or if you have any queries then please contact

Tim Butcher by telephone on 0118 9559610 or by email at t.butcher@hewetts.co.uk



Hewetts Solicitors · 55/57 London Street · Reading RG1 4PS · Tel: (0118) 957 5337 · Fax: (0118) 939 3073 · enquiries@hewetts.co.uk