What is Probate?
Probate is the process of administering the estate of a person who has died. It involves following the instructions left in that person’s Will. If you have been named the executor in the Will you will be responsible for making sure the deceased’s debts are paid, arranging the funeral and paying the costs, paying inheritance tax and income tax if they are due, and cashing in all of the assets, including selling the house if the deceased person was a homeowner. You will also be responsible for making sure that each of the beneficiaries gets the correct share of the money plus any specific gifts made in the Will.
In most cases, you will need to apply for a Grant of Probate in order to carry out all of these tasks. The Grant is the evidence of your authority to act for the deceased.
Guiding You Through the Probate Process
Being an executor can be an overwhelming task if you don’t know where to start, especially when you are grieving. If the person died without making a Will the whole process becomes even more confusing.
Dead Good Wills can help you get onto the right track with the process. We are happy to offer a free consultation to advise you what your first steps should be, whether you need to apply for a Grant of Probate, how to manage the process yourself and when and where to seek professional help.
