Probate Support
Probate support services for London families dealing with estates after bereavement. From obtaining the grant of probate to full estate administration — compassionate, professional support at a difficult time.
Get Matched
Up to 3 vetted estate planning specialists will contact you within 24 hours
Probate Support: What You Need to Know
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate — collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to the beneficiaries. Obtaining the grant of probate (or letters of administration where there is no will) gives executors the legal authority to deal with banks, investment providers, and property registries.
The probate process can be straightforward for simple estates, but it becomes complex when there is property to sell, inheritance tax to pay, overseas assets to address, or when family circumstances create complications. Professional probate support ensures the process is handled correctly, efficiently, and with appropriate care for the bereaved family.
Our matched probate specialists are experienced, compassionate professionals who guide executors through every stage of the process — from the initial application to the final distribution of the estate. They handle HMRC correspondence, IHT calculations, and legal formalities so executors can focus on supporting their families.
Benefits of Probate Support
Executor Relief
Being an executor is a significant legal responsibility. Professionals handle the paperwork, HMRC submissions, and legal formalities — allowing executors to focus on family support rather than administrative complexity during a difficult time.
HMRC Compliance
Inheritance tax returns must be accurate and submitted on time. Errors can trigger HMRC enquiries and penalties. Specialist probate professionals ensure all valuations, deductions, and reliefs are properly handled and the IHT400 is correctly completed.
Faster Estate Administration
Professional probate support typically results in faster estate resolution than DIY probate. Specialists know the process, understand common delays, and can escalate where necessary to keep things moving.
Dispute Risk Reduction
Professional involvement reduces the risk of executor errors that can lead to personal liability, and provides clear documentation of all decisions — important if beneficiaries later question how the estate was administered.
Find Probate Support Professionals
Specialists for probate support covering 83 towns and areas.
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Is Probate Support Right for You?
Probate support is valuable for:
- Executors dealing with an estate for the first time and unfamiliar with the legal and administrative requirements
- Estates with significant assets including property, investments, or business interests requiring formal valuation
- Estates where inheritance tax is payable, requiring accurate completion of the IHT400 and supporting schedules
- Complex estates involving overseas assets, multiple properties, or disputed ownership
- Families where the executor lives overseas or is unable to manage the process personally due to their own health or circumstances
Our matched estate planning specialists will review your brief and requirements, then provide a clear quote and timeline before any work begins.
How the Process Works
Estate Assessment
Your specialist reviews the deceased's assets, liabilities, the will (if one exists), and the family situation. This identifies whether a grant of probate or letters of administration is needed, and whether inheritance tax applies.
Asset Valuation and IHT
All assets are valued at the date of death. If inheritance tax is payable, the IHT400 and relevant schedules are completed, submitted to HMRC, and any tax due is arranged from estate funds before the grant can be issued.
Grant Application
The probate application is submitted to the Probate Registry with the will (if applicable), death certificate, and inheritance tax forms. Current processing times vary — your specialist monitors progress and chases where necessary.
Estate Administration
Once the grant is received, assets are collected, debts paid, final accounts prepared, and the estate distributed to beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy rules. Full estate accounts are provided to all beneficiaries.
Probate Support Pricing Guide
Fees vary depending on the service and estate complexity. Below are typical costs from specialists in our network. All prices are in GBP.
| Service Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
Probate Support | £1,500 to £3,500 |
What's Included in the Fee
- Consultation, will drafting, review, signing guidance, secure storage advice
- Joint consultation, two matching wills, review, signing guidance, storage advice
- Consultation, LPA drafting, certificate provider guidance, OPG registration support
- Estate review, trust recommendation, trust drafting, full explanation of implications
- Full asset review, IHT calculation, wills/LPA/trust recommendations, written report
- Grant of probate application, asset collection, HMRC returns, estate distribution
0% Finance Available
Staged payment plans available from most specialists. Many clients prefer to spread the cost of comprehensive estate planning over 6-12 months.
Probate Support FAQs
What Our Clients Say
“My husband and I had been meaning to sort our wills for years. The will writer they matched us with made the whole process straightforward — she explained everything clearly, came to our home in Hampstead, and we had our mirror wills signed within two weeks. Couldn't be easier.”
“After my father's health scare, I realised we needed LPAs in place urgently. The specialist matched to us understood the urgency, explained both types of LPA clearly, and had everything registered within the timeframe we needed. Professional and reassuring throughout.”
“We needed a protective property trust to ensure our home would pass to our children rather than be used for care fees. The specialist was knowledgeable, patient, and explained every option. We felt completely informed before making any decisions.”