Probate can often seem like a daunting process, with lots of legalities and protocols to understand. At Dawsons, we understand that this can be a distressing time for many, which is why we want to help you by making our involvement in the process as smooth as possible.
This page will guide you through the key things you need to know as an executor.
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.
