Probate Services

Whatever your circumstances, our experts will help you identify what needs to happen and when, so that you can access and distribute assets, or begin to resolve disputes and understand your position in cases of intestacy (where there is no Will or it is not valid), and in relation to Inheritance Tax.

Our specialist lawyers will conduct the necessary tasks to prove a Will in England and Wales, or provide appropriate advice where there is no Will, or in cases where families are in dispute. 

Drawing on insights from their impressive experience advising estates of all sizes and levels of complexity, areas of specialist knowledge within our team include: investigating and valuing estates; Inheritance Tax and availability of reliefs; applying for Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration; trusts, lifetime gifts and continuing trusts; payment of tax and other liabilities; family disputes and claims against the estate.

With an extensive history of working closely with clients on these matters, our experience also extends to acting as an independent administrator; gathering in assets and advising beneficiaries on the tax implications of receiving particular assets (including the sale or transfer of properties and other assets); assisting and overseeing the distribution of funds and assets according to the Will; preparing estate accounts; and advising executors on the income and capital gains tax position of the estate.

Looking for independent financial advice that gives you clarity and confidence – for now and the future? 

Find out more on our dedicated Womble Bond Dickinson Wealth website.

We’ve worked with:

• The executors of an estate (and the trustees of the subsequent trust) comprising land, investments, works of art and business interests) worth c.20m across multiple jurisdictions. The deceased was also the settlor and beneficiary of several trusts
• A multi-jurisdictional team across a number of professional firms to minimise the Inheritance Tax burden (and the burden of similar taxes in other jurisdictions) and ensure protection for the beneficiaries, some of whom were children
• Acting both as professional advisor and executor for a multi-million-pound estate where all beneficiaries and family members were overseas. Dealing with all practical as well as legal aspects of the administration
• Executors regarding claims for Agricultural and Business Property Relief; Conditional Heritage Relief on National Heritage assets; and Lloyds of London Underwriting Assets
• Cross border estates for UK and non-UK domiciled deceased persons, and the resealing of foreign grants for UK purposes
• Negotiating Inheritance Tax clearance, acceptance in lieu applications, and conditional exemptions with HMRC.

• Purchase of a freehold residential property
• Purchase of a leasehold residential property
• Mortgage/re-mortgage of a residential property
• Sale of a freehold residential property
• Sale of a leasehold residential property
• Probate