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Suffolk Will Services are your local Will Writer covering Ipswich (Suffolk) and surrounding areas
Probate Advice
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Probate and Estate Administration
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PROFESSIONAL PROBATE ADVICE
Most likely probate is a term you will have heard, but like many people, have little understanding of what it really means. Despite the fact that nearly all of us will experience probate at some point in our lives.
In simple terms probate is the entire legal process involved with organising and overseeing the requests
written in a Will regarding a deceased person’s estate. Probate is often described as the administration of the estate. An estate in these terms relates to the money and property of the deceased.
If the deceased left a Will, they may have chosen a relative or close friend – in legal terms, an executor(s)– to help ensure the requests written in the Will are properly executed or carried out.
Depending on the complexity or value of an estate, a Grant of Probate may be required to allow the Executor to administer the estate. This involves an application to the Court. We can support and guide you through this process.
Probate and Estate Administration
Most likely probate is a term you will have heard, but like many people, have little understanding of what it really means. Despite the fact that nearly all of us will experience probate at some point in our lives.
In simple terms probate is the entire legal process involved with organising and overseeing the requests
written in a Will regarding a deceased person’s estate. Probate is often described as the administration of the estate. An estate in these terms relates to the money and property of the deceased.
If the deceased left a Will, they may have chosen a relative or close friend – in legal terms, an executor(s)– to help ensure the requests written in the Will are properly executed or carried out.
Depending on the complexity or value of an estate, a Grant of Probate may be required to allow the Executor to administer the estate. This involves an application to the Court. We can support and guide you through this process.
Made the process easy
'Highly recommended. Helen met with us at our home to help us make our wills. She was very patient in explaining and advising what we needed. She made the whole process very easy for us.'
Wondeful & Understanding
Wondeful & Understanding
'Helen & Daniel are just fabulous. I liked them both immensley. Absolutely worry free & efficient they totally know their stuff. And they made it all seem very straight forward and seamless. Completed LPA & Will for me & i would thoroughly recommend their services to anyone. Thank you so much it was a pleasure working with you both.
5* recommendation!
'Recently my elderly mother in law needed a will written. After some research online I contacted Helen Algar at Suffolk Will Services. Helen is really nice, made mum feel at ease straightaway, and the whole service was totally professional. We’re happy to pass on our positive experience with Helen, and recommend Suffolk Will Services without hesitation. Hoping this will help anyone who might be needing a Will written and is putting it off (as we all do!)”
5* recommendation!
'Recently my elderly mother in law needed a will written. After some research online I contacted Helen Algar at Suffolk Will Services. Helen is really nice, made mum feel at ease straightaway, and the whole service was totally professional. We’re happy to pass on our positive experience with Helen, and recommend Suffolk Will Services without hesitation. Hoping this will help anyone who might be needing a Will written and is putting it off (as we all do!)”
Made the process easy
'Highly recommended. Helen met with us at our home to help us make our wills. She was very patient in explaining and advising what we needed. She made the whole process very easy for us.'Wondeful & Understanding
Helen & Daniel are just fabulous. I liked them both immensley. Absolutely worry free & efficient they totally know their stuff. And they made it all seem very straight forward and seamless. Completed LPA & Will for me & i would thoroughly recommend their services to anyone. Thank you so much it was a pleasure working with you both.- The deceased had money in their sole name
- The deceased owned property in their sole name
- The deceased owned stocks or shares
- Disputes are occurring over the administration of the estate
- There are legal proceedings involved in the administration of the estate
- The deceased’s paperwork
- Funeral arrangements
- Managing and closing their bank accounts
- Securing and insuring their home
- Arranging the sale of their home
- Overseeing and distributing the estate in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules
Actions the executor(s) will likely be required to during the administration of the estate
Reasons for why probate becomes a legal requirement
What happens when there isn’t a Will
If a person dies without having left a Will, their estate then becomes shared out according to certain rules – these are called the rules of intestacy. The person who died without writing a Will is called an intestate person. Only married or civil partners and certain other close relatives can inherit under rules of intestacy. The rules of intestacy also decide how estates should be shared should a Will not be valid; which is why it is so important to have Wills correctly written and signed in accordance with the legal formalities.
This may seem quite a complicated process, but we have created a comprehensive process to ensure you know exactly how probate works and what is required from you.
Please Let’s start your probate process to book your appointment
- We will explain the terms of the Will (or intestacy rules, if your loved one died without having made a Will).
- Talk through the process involved with obtaining a Grant of Probate (or a Grant of Letters of Administration in the case of Intestacy) and we will explain duties and procedure the personal representatives should take, to manage the administration of the estate.
- Assist and guide you with the completion HMRC Inheritance Tax account.
- Assist and guide you with the completion of the Probate application forms.
- Explain the procedure of calling in the assets; paying the bills and expenses and accounting to the beneficiaries for their inheritance.
Our straightforward probate process
Areas covered
- Ipswich
- Claydon
- Hadleigh
- Boxford
- Sudbury
- Felixstowe
- Needham Market
- Stowmarket
- Diss
- Halesworth
- Aldeburgh
- Southwold
- Framlingham
- Wickham Market
- Rendlesham
- Woodbridge
- Felixstowe
- Shotley
- Brantham
- Manningtree
- Bury St Edmunds
- and everywhere in between.
Suffolk Will Services is based in Ipswich, Suffolk and has clients throughout Suffolk; North Essex and South Norfolk. Helen can visit you in:
Common Probate Questions
It makes no difference to probate if there is, or is not a Will left. Probate may, or may not be required for estates when there is a Will. Conversely, a Grant of Letters of Administration may or may not be required for estates without a Will.
It depends on:
- How the deceased’s assets were held – whether they’re in joint names or in the deceased person’s sole name.
- The value of the deceased person’s assets.
- Whether the estate comprises of property owned in their sole name.
Generally, for estates worth less than £5,000 probate is rarely required.
On average it takes between 6-12 months for the probate process to be finalised. This is from the date of death to the estate being fully shared. Even small estates can take up to six months to complete the probate process.
There is no time limit for probate. You will not be penalised for late application nor will your application be disqualified. However, there is a time limit if the estate is liable for Inheritance Tax.
Inheritance tax must be paid with six months of the person’s death, regardless of probate. If you do not meet this deadline, financial penalties will be applied, and interest charged by HMRC.
Contact
Tel: 01473 808499
Email: info@suffolkwillservices.co.uk
Monday to Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am – 2pm
Early evening and weekend appointments available by prior arrangement
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Suffolk Will Services Ltd
3b Lower Farm Park
Norwich Road
Barham
Ipswich
IP6 0NU
WILLS | LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEYS | PROBATE ADVICE
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Lasting Powers of Attorney explained - an insight into the benefits of putting in place a Lasting Power of Attorney
