Settling affairs after a death
Dealing with a loved one’s death is emotionally devastating, and the added burden of probate administration can feel overwhelming. Our probate solicitors provide compassionate, expert guidance through this complex legal process whilst handling all administrative matters so you can focus on grieving and supporting your family. 
We’ve helped families across Leicester, Nottingham and Derby with estate administration for over 40 years. We understand the sensitivity required during bereavement and work efficiently to handle all probate matters with genuine care and professional expertise.
Get compassionate probate advice today on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
Need advice? Contact us!Probate services we provide
Our probate solicitors provide comprehensive estate administration services designed to handle all legal formalities whilst providing sensitive support during this difficult time.
- Grant of probate applications – We handle all aspects of obtaining grants of probate, giving executors legal authority to administer estates and distribute assets according to the will. Our probate specialists understand the complex application procedures whilst ensuring all requirements are met efficiently. Grant applications involve detailed paperwork, asset valuations, and inheritance tax calculations requiring specialist expertise to avoid delays and complications. We handle applications for both simple and complex estates whilst keeping you informed throughout the process.
- Letters of administration – When someone dies without a valid will or when named executors cannot act, letters of administration provide authority to administer the estate. We handle these applications whilst guiding administrators through their responsibilities under intestacy rules. Letters of administration cases often involve additional complexities around identifying beneficiaries and applying intestacy rules whilst requiring careful handling to ensure all legal requirements are met and rightful beneficiaries are identified and protected.
- Estate valuation and asset collection – We provide comprehensive estate valuations for inheritance tax purposes whilst systematically collecting all assets including property, investments, bank accounts, and personal possessions. Our probate specialists work with specialist valuers whilst ensuring accurate assessments for tax and distribution purposes. Asset collection involves liaising with banks, investment companies, and other institutions whilst dealing with complex arrangements and ensuring nothing is overlooked during the administration process.
- Inheritance tax planning and compliance – We handle all inheritance tax matters including calculations, returns, and payment arrangements whilst exploring opportunities to minimise tax liabilities through available reliefs and exemptions. Our inheritance tax specialists ensure HMRC compliance whilst protecting estate value through proper planning and claiming all appropriate reliefs. Inheritance tax can be complex, particularly with business assets, agricultural property, and charitable giving whilst requiring specialist expertise to ensure compliance and minimise liabilities.
- Estate administration and distribution – We manage complete estate administration from initial applications through to final distribution whilst ensuring all debts are paid and assets distributed correctly according to the will or intestacy rules. Our comprehensive service handles all administrative tasks whilst keeping beneficiaries informed throughout the process. Estate administration involves numerous legal and practical tasks requiring attention to detail and understanding of complex legal requirements whilst ensuring proper protection for executors and administrators.
- Property sales and asset realisation – We coordinate property sales and asset realisation whilst handling capital gains tax implications and ensuring maximum value is achieved for beneficiaries. Our property specialists understand the complexities of estate property sales whilst working with estate agents and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes. Property matters can be complex, particularly with jointly owned property, agricultural assets, and business premises whilst requiring careful handling to protect beneficiary interests.
- Disputed Wills and inheritance claims – We handle contested probate matters including will validity challenges, inheritance disputes, and claims under the Inheritance Act whilst protecting legitimate interests of beneficiaries and estates. Our contentious probate specialists understand the emotional difficulties these disputes create whilst providing robust representation to achieve fair outcomes. Will disputes can arise from various circumstances including allegations of undue influence, lack of capacity, or inadequate provision for dependants whilst requiring sensitive handling and specialist expertise.
- Trust administration and management – We administer ongoing trusts created by wills whilst ensuring proper management of trust assets and compliance with beneficiary obligations. Our trust specialists understand complex trustee duties whilst providing ongoing administration services. Trust administration requires understanding of tax implications, investment duties, and beneficiary rights whilst ensuring proper record keeping and compliance with trust terms throughout the administration period.
Why choose Nelsons probate solicitors
Compassionate professional service – We understand that dealing with probate during bereavement is incredibly difficult. Our probate solicitors provide sensitive, supportive guidance throughout this challenging time whilst combining professional expertise with genuine empathy. We take time to explain complex procedures clearly whilst handling administrative burdens so you can focus on family and grieving.
Comprehensive estate administration expertise – Our team handles everything from simple estates to complex probate matters involving multiple properties, business interests, and international assets whilst bringing specialist expertise to every case. We understand inheritance tax legislation, property law, and trust administration whilst staying current with legal developments that affect estate administration and beneficiary rights.
Efficient, cost-effective service – We work quickly and efficiently to minimise delays in estate administration whilst understanding that beneficiaries often depend on their inheritance for financial security. We provide transparent fee structures whilst offering various payment options including payment from estate funds where appropriate.
Tax expertise and compliance – Our probate solicitors are skilled in inheritance tax planning and compliance whilst ensuring estates pay no more tax than legally required. We understand complex reliefs and exemptions whilst working to minimise tax liabilities through proper planning and claiming all available benefits.
We can help with all or any part of the process and will advise you of the costs involved before we carry out any work. For information on our fees and services in relation to Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration, please click here.
To discuss how our expert probate solicitors in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham might be able to assist you, please call 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online enquiry form.
What our clients say about us…
Our probate process
We handle probate matters systematically whilst providing compassionate support throughout what can be a lengthy administration process.
- Initial assessment and planning
We review the will and estate circumstances with sensitivity whilst explaining the probate process and identifying any potential complications or tax issues. Initial assessments consider the estate’s complexity, potential disputes, and tax implications whilst ensuring executors understand their responsibilities and obligations throughout the process. - Legal formalities and applications
Our probate specialists handle all legal formalities including probate applications, asset valuations, and inheritance tax returns whilst keeping you informed throughout the process. Legal formalities require attention to detail and understanding of complex requirements whilst ensuring proper compliance with court and HMRC procedures. - Asset collection and estate management
We systematically gather all estate assets including property, investments, and personal possessions whilst settling outstanding debts and liabilities. Asset collection involves liaison with numerous organisations whilst requiring patience and persistence to ensure all assets are identified and collected properly. - Distribution and estate closure
We distribute assets according to the will or intestacy rules whilst preparing final accounts and ensuring all legal requirements are completed properly. Our probate solicitors ensure proper discharge of executor duties whilst providing comprehensive documentation of the administration process. Final distribution requires careful attention to beneficiary entitlements whilst ensuring proper receipts and discharges are obtained to protect executors from future claims.
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What is Probate?
A Grant of Probate gives your executors (also known as personal representatives) the legal right to deal with your affairs after your death, so they can administer your estate according to the terms of your Will.
The Grant of Probate is a legal document confirming that the executor has the authority to deal with your property, money and possessions. They can use it to access funds, sort out finances, or collect and distribute your assets.
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What happens if I die without a Will?
If you die leaving a Will:
- The executors have immediate legal authority from the day you die.
- The executors named in the Will apply for the Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry.
- The executors may be able to deal with certain smaller assets without the Grant of Probate.
If you don’t leave a Will:
- A close relative can apply to the Probate Registry to deal with the estate.
- Instead of a Grant of Probate, they need a Grant of Letters of Administration.
- They can become the administrators of the estate.
- The administrators have no authority until they have obtained the Grant of Letters of Administration.
- Like a Grant of Probate, a Letter of Administration is a legal document confirming the administrator’s authority to deal with your assets.
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What's the difference between probate and letters of administration?
Probate grants authority when there’s a valid will with appointed executors whilst letters of administration apply when there’s no will or no available executors. Both provide legal authority to administer estates but involve different procedures.
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When is a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration needed?
Generally, a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is needed if you die leaving one or more of:
- £5,000 or more in savings or investment accounts;
- Stocks or shares;
- Certain insurance policies; and/or
- Property or land held in your own name or as tenants in common with someone else.
If your estate is small, some insurance companies, banks or building societies may release funds without a Grant but only at their discretion – the minimum figure can vary between organisations.
Your executors won’t be granted Probate until some, or all, of any inheritance tax that is due on the estate, has been paid – so the administrator of an estate often requires specialist knowledge of tax and inheritance law.
It is possible to apply for a Grant of Probate directly to the Probate Registry, but:
- There is then an extra Probate fee to pay.
- The Probate Registry will take longer to issue a Grant.
- You have no guarantees or cover if things go wrong.
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Do I need a solicitor for probate?
While not always legally required, using experienced probate solicitors ensures proper estate administration, tax compliance, and protection against personal liability for mistakes whilst relieving you of administrative burdens during bereavement.
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How long does probate take?
Simple estates typically take six to nine months whilst complex cases involving property sales, tax disputes, or contested wills may take twelve to eighteen months or longer depending on the complications involved.
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How much does probate cost?
Probate costs vary depending on estate complexity and work required. We provide clear fee estimates based on your specific circumstances whilst offering transparent pricing and various payment options including funding from estate assets where appropriate.
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Can I be held personally liable as an executor?
Yes, executors can face personal liability for mistakes in estate administration, including paying wrong beneficiaries, missing debts, or inheritance tax errors. However, proper legal procedures including advertising for creditors, obtaining correct valuations, and following prescribed distribution rules provide protection. Our probate solicitors ensure you meet all legal obligations whilst protecting you from potential personal liability throughout the administration process.