Probate in Crawley All Blog Posts

If you’re the executor of someone’s will, the task of probate will fall to you when they die. Put simply, probate involves sorting out their affairs, to ensure that any debts are paid and all remaining assets end up with the right people. If someone has left a will, the task of probate will normally involve the following:

• valuing the estate of the deceased, which may include money, property, land, valuable possessions, jewellery, cars and so on
• once you’ve got an idea of the estate’s value, checking with the deceased’s bank about whether you need to apply for a grant of probate, which is a legal document showing you have the right to deal with the person’s estate
• completing the relevant probate application and inheritance tax forms and sending them to the appropriate government bodies
• attending your local probate registry to swear an oath, so that the grant of probate can be made
• paying any inheritance tax that is due
• paying any debts owed by the estate
• distributing whatever is left according to the wishes set out in the person’s will.

With so much involved in probate, it’s no wonder that many people feel it is a task that is beyond them, especially at what can be a very difficult time emotionally. In these circumstances, it can be very helpful to instruct a solicitor to deal with probate for you. This can give you peace of mind that everything is being taken care of correctly, while also taking a weight off your shoulders during a difficult time.