When a family member passes away, it can be difficult to focus on the nuts and bolts of dealing with your legal matters. This is where probate attorneys come in. Probate attorneys help you resolve all of these issues. From dealing with financial matters to organizing the distribution of property and assets. In this article, we will provide an overview of the probate process and what probate attorneys do. From Cardiff to Cornwall, the probate process is the same, so this is a general guide to the work of probate solicitors in England and Wales.

The succession process

STEP ONE
Evaluate the inheritance of the deceased and establish whether or not you will need a representation concession to continue with the process. This will be determined after communication with the decedent’s financial organizations and the decedent’s banks.

SECOND STEP
If a grant of representation is required, you will need to complete an application form in addition to an inheritance tax form. The nature of the inheritance tax form you need to complete will depend on whether or not the decedent’s estate owes inheritance tax.

STEP THREE
Completed relevant proxy and inheritance tax forms will be submitted to the Registrar of Probate and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

STEP FOUR
At this stage, you will need to pay the inheritance tax that is due as stipulated. This will be assessed after your inheritance tax form is submitted in step four.

STEP FIVE
You must now go to your local probate registry or probate office to take an oath confirming that you are the representative of the decedent’s interests.

STEP SIX
Once these steps have been completed, you must wait for your representation grant to arrive, which will be sent to you by post. This will take up to eight weeks to be confirmed and shipped. Once you have this grant, you will be able to access the decedent’s assets at your banks and alternative financial organizations (grant of representation must be presented before granting access).

STEP SEVEN
It is now your duty to pay any debt that is outstanding in the decedent’s name and once this is completed you are free to distribute the decedent’s estate as you see fit.
Where do probate attorneys come in?

This process can be long and stressful and it is the responsibility of probate attorneys to assist you with these procedures. Whether or not there is a will, many relatives choose to retain the services of probate attorneys to help the process run smoothly and without unnecessary hassle and stress.

The death of a family member is never easy, which is why it is important for probate attorneys to be professional, considerate and experienced in helping mourners organize the financial affairs and assets of the decedent.