Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and for many families in the UK, this is compounded by delays in the probate process. In 2024, Personal Representatives (PR) are increasingly facing extended waiting periods to distribute estates, which has brought new financial and emotional stress. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself dealing with estate administration and probate this year.

When a person who is domiciled in a foreign country passes away, and holds assets in England and Wales, a Grant of Representation may be required to administer their estate. However, if a Grant has already been obtained in a foreign jurisdiction, there is a process known as resealing the Grant. This allows the foreign Grant to be recognised in England and Wales without the need to apply for a new one. In this guide, we’ll explore what resealed Grants are, how the resealing process works, and what challenges can arise.

When someone passes away, probate may be required before their assets can be dealt with. This blog discusses what probate is, when is probate required, and what are some of the UK financial institution thresholds.

When dealing with the death of a loved one, many Executors find themselves worrying about the costs of administering the estate and how fees can be paid. Acting as an Executor or Administrator is not a paid role, and it’s common to feel concerned that it may leave you out of pocket. In this blog, we’ll cover what probate is and whether probate (and other fees) can be paid out of the estate.

In certain circumstances, HMRC will allow a Personal Representative to postpone payment of all or part of the tax and interest due on delivery of an account. This is referred to as a Grant on credit.

A Grant of Representation is a legal document issued in the United Kingdom that gives the person named on it the authority to administer the estate and other assets of a deceased person. In simple terms, it is a document that proves that the person handling the deceased's assets has the legal right to do so.

In the UK, the Executor of a Willis responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the Will. The specific duties of an Executor may include:

The period after the death of a loved one is a difficult time; and many people prefer to avoid thinking about it in advance. There are many challenges to consider; not only the emotional difficulties, but also the administrative duties that will need to be dealt with. An example of this is when the deceased has outstanding debts upon their death. Matters such as these become even more difficult to handle when the debt is unexpected and no provisions for its repayment have been made. It is a commonly held assumption by many people that debts are written off upon the death of the borrower; however, in general, this is not true.

When a loved one passes away, there are many tasks that must be completed before their estate can be distributed to the beneficiaries. One of those tasks may be applying for probate; probate is not always needed, but if it’s required, it can be a confusing process that involves a lot of time and effort. This blog aims to simplify probate and explain what it is, when it’s required, and the application process.