Probate
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What is probate?
This is the process of administering the estate of a deceased person.
It involves locating the original and most recent Will; establishing who the Executors are; valuing the estate for Inheritance Tax; and applying to the Court for the Grant of Probate.
The Grant enables the Executors to prove they are responsible for collecting in the assets, paying off the debts and liabilities, and distributing the estate according to the deceased’s wishes as set out in the Will.
Where there is no Will, probate involves identifying the next of kin and having them apply to be the Administrators of the Estate.
The estate still needs to be valued, and an application made for the Grant of Probate.
When the Administrators collect in the assets and pay off the liabiities, they must then distribute what’s left according to the Intestacy Rules.
Both the Executors and the Administrators, to whom probate is granted, are known as the Personal Representatives of the deceased.
What paperwork is involved in Probate?
The Will
This is the most important document! It must be the most recent Will of the deceased, and must be the original.
The Estate Accounts
This is a detailed list of all the assets and liabilities of the estate. Later, it is also used to account for all payments out under the Will or Intestacy Rules.
The Inheritance Tax return
If the estate is valued at less than the nil rate band (currently £325,000.00), the appropriate form to complete is the IHT205. If the estate is valued at more than the nil rate band, the appropriate form to complete is the IHT400.
The application for Probate
To obtain a Grant from the Court, the Personal Representatives must complete the form PA1.
The above paperwork, and any associated information required by the Court, must be submitted in application for the Grant of Probate.
Receipts
Full records must be kept of all assets gathered in, all debts and liabilities paid, and all payments out to beneficiaries. These records must be kept. HMRC can ask to see these records for up to 20 years after the estate has been distributed.
Probate
(see ‘The Inheritance Tax Return’ section for explanation of IHT205 & IHT400)
- Fixed Fee Probate Assistance for estates requiring an IHT205 £1,500 – £2,995
- Fixed Fee Probate Assistance for estates requiring an IHT400 £2,995 – £3,995
- The Probate Registry charges an application fee. This is not included in our fees.
The Probate Registry charges an application fee. This is not included in our fees.
Contact us for a costs estimate tailored to your requirements.
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Contact Us
To find out more please get in touch by telephone or book an appointment online.
Email Us
paul@banburywillsandprobate.co.uk
Call Us
01295 237400
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