Probate.

We understand how difficult it is when someone dies and their affairs have to be dealt with. This is called administering the estate.

If a Will has been made it will name people to act as Executors. Executors administer the estate.

Depending on the size of the estate the named Executors may need to apply to the Probate Registry for a Grant of Probate. This is an official document which allows the Executors to administer the estate.

If the person did not make a Will, this is known as dying intestate and the process of dealing with the affairs may be more complicated depending on the size of the estate.  An application to the Probate Registry may be required to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration; again this is an official document granting an Administrator the legal right to deal with the deceased’s affairs. An Administrator is usually a relative of the deceased.

Personal Representatives (this means Executors and Administrators) are responsible for ensuring the estate is administered correctly and if there is a Will, the wishes of the deceased are carried out as detailed in the Will. Where there is no Will the Personal Representative must follow the rules of intestacy.

A Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration is not always required where there is less than £5,000.00 in total or everything was owned jointly with someone else, or such higher sum as the bank in question will allow.

A Grant will be required where there is more than £5,000.00; stocks or shares; property and insurance policies.