Probate Solicitors

Your personal legal advisor will help you through all of your legal matters

Professional support for managing a loved one’s estate

No matter what your circumstances are, managing a loved one’s estate after their passing can be an overwhelming and legally complex situation. Probate can be a complicated and confusing process, and even fairly simple estates can be challenging to administer without the right help. This is where the help of probate solicitors becomes invaluable, guiding you through estate administration, wills and complex estates, and disputes.

At Goughs solicitors, our compassionate and knowledgeable probate specialists specialise in supporting clients through probate matters. Whether you need initial advice, help with a difficult stage, or someone to take responsibility for the entire probate process, we are here to offer a helping hand with our probate services. Our probate solicitors will ensure the estate is managed correctly, with a focus on professionalism and understanding.

Administration of Estates

Dealing with the estate of a loved one is a difficult task, and it can feel overwhelming during an already emotional time. However, ensuring that the estate is administered correctly is crucial to avoid complications. Seeking the right legal advice from our probate solicitors can make the process smoother and less stressful, providing you with clear and practical advice, every step of the way.

Administration of Estates

Our administration specialists ensure final wishes are respected, assets are managed correctly, and that the estate is distributed fairly and in line with the law.

Intestacies

For cases of intestacy, our probate solicitors can advise on navigating the legal rules of inheritance, ensuring all beneficiaries are accounted for.

Deed Of Variation (Changing A Will After Death)

A post death variation allows beneficiaries to adjust how an estate is distributed to better reflect the wishes of the family or reduce tax liabilities.

Trust Corporation

If appointed within a Will, our team of professional executors can manage the estate administration on your behalf, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and your loved one’s wishes are honoured.

Will Trusts & Complex Estates

Will Trusts and Complex Estates often require careful planning to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and in a tax-efficient manner when you die. A will trust allows you to create a legal framework that can protect wealth, provide for loved ones, and manage inheritance tax. In complex estates where there may be multiple beneficiaries, assets in different jurisdictions or specific conditions attached to the distribution, it’s essential to have expert guidance. Our probate specialists can assist with setting up will trusts and ensuring that your estate will be administered in the most effective way when the time comes.

Trust and Estate Registration

Our probate specialists support trustees and can register trusts for you too. We’ll help you understand your duties as a trustee and make sure you meet all necessary obligations.

Administration of Trusts

Administering a will can be a complex and time consuming process, but our experienced administration solicitors can guide you through your responsibilities or assist in managing the trust.

Taxation of Trusts and Estates

Each trust operates under its own set of rules and may be subject to varying tax implications, so it’s crucial to carefully choose the right Trust from the outset to align with your specific goals and intentions.

Disputes

Disputes over wills, trusts and estates can be emotionally draining and legally complex. When disagreements arise, it’s important to seek legal guidance to protect your interests. At Goughs solicitors, we have a list of probate services, and our team has extensive experience handling a wide range inheritance and estate disputes. We are here to support you through every step of the process, working towards practical solutions to resolve conflicts as efficiently as possible.

Disputing a Will

When it comes to a loved one’s will, you want assets to be distributed fairly. If you have concerns about the conditions under which the will was made, our probate solicitors are here to help.

Claims Against an Estate

Disputes of this sensitive nature will often involve disputes within the family, so it can be particularly difficult. Our probate solicitors can assist if you have concerns and don’t know how to proceed.

Disputes Between Executors

If you believe the executor is distributing assets incorrectly or failing at their other duties, our probate experts can provide specialist advice and help you to make a claim against them.

Our pribate lawyers are here to offer you the guidance you need

Your probate solicitors since 1882

Probate FAQs

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal right to deal with the affairs of someone who has passed away. It can be a lengthy and sometimes stressful process, placing a lot of responsibility on the person managing the estate. However, probate solicitors can help greatly with this process, offering advice or handling the process for you.

What is a probate solicitor?

A probate solicitor is a legal professional who guides executors and beneficiaries throughout the probate process. Probate solicitors give legal advice and can help with document preparation, estate valuation, tax matters, dispute resolution and asset distribution.

Do I need to use a solicitor for probate?

There is no legal requirement to use a probate solicitor, however it is usually recommended to do so as a probate solicitor will have the skills and experience to ensure every detail is accounted for, they will make sure the probate process stays on track, and they can ultimately make the process a lot easier during an already difficult time.

Why should I choose Goughs to be my probate solicitors?

We’ve been supporting clients all over the South West for many years. You may just need assistance with a Grant of Probate application, or you may want us to take charge of the whole probate process for you.

Our probate specialists offer friendly and straightforward guidance ensuring your duties as an Executor are carried out properly.

What is a probate solicitor?

For information on our Probate Fees, please click here.

What if there is no Will?

At Goughs we have a team of specialist legal advisors who can assist and advise you with the administration of intestate estates.

What happens if I don’t agree with the Will?

You may have concerns about the circumstances surrounding the preparation of the Will and the validity of the Will document itself. Our dispute lawyers specialising in contesting Wills can advise on the grounds for challenging a Will.

Do you need probate for a small estate?

Even small estates can sometimes require a Grant of Probate depending on where the deceased held their assets. However, if they have left their entire estate for their spouse or civil partner, or all assets were held jointly with someone else, you may not need to go through probate. It is always best to check with an experienced probate solicitor before moving forward to avoid any legal complications.

How long does probate take?

Probate can be completed in up to 9 months, but it can take longer depending on the circumstances. Various factors will affect how long probate takes e.g. if the estate is complicated or whether there is any property that needs to be sold.

Our clients rate us as excellent

Legal 500

Client orientated; they ensure the client is well informed with easy to read documents.

L C, Devizes

Our Wills were dealt with efficiently, we have already recommended your firm to our daughter and husband. Absolutely brilliant – thank you.

Sue Greenman

Everything was completed professionally and within my tight time scales. I would like to say thank you and would definitely go back to Goughs should I need help in the future.

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