Holding your hand through the process of estate administration for a loved one.

Emotions can run high during this difficult time, so our experienced team are on hand to help guide you through the maze of probate and estate administration working with you to provide as much or as little help as you need. Where we have advised on the drafting of the will and wealth planning structuring, we can provide an insight to the arrangements and ensure that the deceased’s wishes are fulfilled.

PEM is licensed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to provide the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales.

We work with the family to

• Register the death
• Act as executors where appointed
• Obtain the Will
• Protect assets during the probate and administration process
• Determine all the assets and liabilities
• Advertise the death to notify any creditors
• Determine gifts made during the deceased’s lifetime
• Complete the Inheritance Tax returns
• Arrange for Inheritance Tax to be paid
• Obtain a grant of probate or letters of administration
• Collect the assets
• Prepare the estate accounts
• Advise on the most tax efficient payments to beneficiaries
• Determine distributions for each beneficiary in line with the will
• Carry out bankrupty searches
• Make distributions to beneficiaries and prepare income certificates where appropriate
• Prepare estate tax returns
• Complete repayment claims for beneficiaries

Our timescale

There are number of factors that influence the time it takes to finalise an estate. Generally, timescales are determined by the complexity of the estate. If the estate has a foreign element, meaning there are assets in another country, or if there is a dispute over the estate, these factors can impact the timescale.

Generally, a very simple estate with minimal assets can take a minimum of 6 months whilst a moderately complex estate can take a minimum of 18 months. A more complex estate can take up to 2-3 years.

Sometimes the process can face delays due to collating information and HMRC’s applications processing.