Understanding Probate
Losing a loved one is difficult enough without having to navigate unfamiliar legal processes. Probate is the process of dealing with someone’s estate after they pass away, and our team can guide you through every step.
Probate at a glance
What is Probate?
Grants of Representation
Grant Only Service
Full Estate Administration
What makes Open Law different?
Whether you’re planning for the future or navigating an important life decision, we’re committed to providing clear guidance, responsive communication and support you can rely on.
Prompt and efficient communications to keep you informed and up-to-date.
Reliable expertise built over decades of knowledge and experience.
Personable down-to-earth approach that prioritises you and your needs.
Round-the-clock support, no question too big or small.
Prompt and efficient communications to keep you informed and up-to-date.
Personable down-to-earth approach that prioritises you and your needs.
Reliable expertise built over decades of knowledge and experience.
Round-the-clock support, no question too big or small.
Grant-Only Service
Ideal for executors who are comfortable administering the estate themselves but need help obtaining the legal authority to do so.
What’s included:
- Reviewing key estate information and documentation
- Preparing the probate application
- Completing any required inheritance tax forms
- Meeting with personal representatives where needed
- Applying for the Grant of Representation
- Providing the Grant once issued so the estate can be administered
Grant and Administration
A comprehensive service for those who would prefer us to manage the probate process from start to finish.
What’s included:
- Everything included in our Grant-Only Service
- Contacting banks and other financial institutions
- Identifying and collecting estate assets
- Settling liabilities and outstanding debts
- Liaising with beneficiaries
- Preparing estate accounts
- Distributing the estate in accordance with the Will or the rules of intestacy
Meet the Probate Team
Lisa Rowell
Director & Solicitor COLP
Carol-Anne Baker
Consultant Solicitor
Donna Schofield
Operations Manager
Chloe Hennessey
Solicitor
Lucy Butler
Trainee Solicitor
Kim Taylor
Conveyancer
Harriet Gibson
Solicitor Graduate Apprentice
Samantha Marriage
Trainee Solicitor
Timescales
When you meet with your legal adviser at Open Law, we discuss with your circumstances and ensure that you are provided with a tailored estimate depending on the circumstances of the estate. This is because there are many additional factors that can influence the time. However, as a guide:
- For a Grant Only Service – We can apply for the Grant for you within 1-2 weeks of you providing us with everything we need. The Probate Registry usually take 12 weeks however this may take longer depending on their workload, complexity or urgency of the application.
- For a Grant and Administration Service – As mentioned above for “Grant Only Service” together with the time to collect and realise the estate which will be wholly dependent upon on the nature and extent of the estate.
Costs
A full breakdown of the various costs involved with our Probate Services can be found here.