Administering an estate can feel complex — particularly if you are acting as an executor for the first time.
Our probate guides provide clear, practical explanations of probate valuations, inheritance tax requirements and estate administration responsibilities. Each guide is written by valuation specialists and reflects real-world probate experience.
If you require a professional valuation, please see our:
Probate is the legal and financial process of sorting through a person’s property, money, and possessions (also known as their assets) after they have passed away. You may also hear this being referred to as handling their estate. An estate is the combined sum of everything owned by the person who has died, typically made up of assets such as those just listed.
A formal grant must be administered by the probate registry to enable the estate to be valued and divided.
Generally, the probate and administration process is carried out in 3 main stages.
Firstly, the size of the estate must be measured to determine whether probate is needed and what it may be needed for. You will then be asked to complete any tax returns and apply to the court for a grant of administration.
Once approved, you must ensure any outstanding debts owed by the deceased are resolved, only then will you be free to start distributing the remaining estate.
To find out more, visit our FAQs page, or read some of the articles below.
