Administration of Estates

Your dedicated lawyer will guide you through the administration of an estate

Administration of estates - What should you consider?

Losing a loved one is always going to be a difficult time and having the responsibility for the administration of their estate can be daunting.

Dealing with legal and financial formalities can be complicated and time-consuming; therefore it helps to have our experienced probate solicitors on your side, sharing the workload and responsibility.

Key Contact

Phillip Bolton

Partner & Head of Private Wealth

Do I need a solicitor to help with administering an estate?

The process of administering an estate be complicated. In these circumstances, the support a solicitor can provide is invaluable. Having an experienced solicitor to assist you with contacting the deceased’s bank and other institutions and notifying beneficiaries of their entitlement under the estate will make things easier and quicker for you.

Solicitors are also able to provide advice about any complex issues, such as Trusts or the effect of intestacies and help you deal with any tax consequences for the estate.

Many people are not aware that solicitors can handle any stage of the administration process on your behalf, or simply assist with the stages you find most challenging.

At Goughs, you will have the dedicated support of an individual member of our team to support you through the estate administration process.

Expert advice when you need it most

Our solicitors are here for you at every step

Popular questions about administering an estate

We like to keep our fee structure fair and simple, so unlike some other firms, we don’t charge a percentage of the estate, our charges are simply based on an hourly rate and the amount of work we actually do.

For more information on our Probate Fees, please click here.

Executors are appointed in the Will. In short, In short, an executor is the person (or people) legally responsible for carrying out the wishes of someone in their will. They’ll collect in the estate and distribute it to the beneficiaries (those named in the will), and ensure any debts are paid.

There are a number of things that can be done prior to arranging a meeting with a solicitor.

We’ve created a guide for you of the different steps to use it as a checklist to navigate this difficult time.

A Deed of Variation is a document entered into where one or more of the beneficiaries of an estate wish to change the amount of inheritance they stand to receive and to pass this inheritance on to another person. Please follow this guide for more information.

At Goughs our experienced legal team is here to offer a helping hand, whether you need initial advice, assistance with a difficult stage or for someone to take responsibility for the whole probate process.

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.

Legal 500

Goughs gives outstanding customer satisfaction. They are very approachable, reliable, courteous and informed. I would recommend Goughs to anyone.

R F, Melksham

Great service, professional, great communication and handled what was a very sensitive situation with care and compassion.

W D, Calne

Professional, helpful & knowledgeable service. Giving very clear advice in a way I could understand. Thank you.

Your estate administration team

Dawn Moir

Partner (TEP)

Emily Windsor

Associate Solicitor

Emma Taylor

Partner & Head of Private Client

Luchia Hirst

Associate Solicitor

Maxine Coles

Associate (FILCEx)

Olivia Clifford

Trainee Private Client Paralegal

Rachel Kyle

Paralegal

Samantha Pettersen

Associate Solicitor

Sarah Loveless

Partner

Olivia Clifford

Trainee Private Client Paralegal

Rachel Kyle

Paralegal

Emily Windsor

Associate Solicitor

Maxine Coles

Associate (FILCEx)

Samantha Pettersen

Associate Solicitor

Luchia Hirst

Associate Solicitor

Dawn Moir

Partner (TEP)

Emma Taylor

Partner & Head of Private Client

Trish Watkins

Senior Associate (FCILEx)

Why choose Goughs?

Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation

First-class, effective service

Largest solicitors in Wiltshire

Seven offices throughout the county

Nationally accredited law firm

Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners

Why wait? Let's talk

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Our Offices

The Strand, Calne
Wiltshire, SN11 0JU
01249 812086

Chippenham
Mill House, 1 New Road
Chippenham, Wiltshire
SN15 1EJ
01249 444499

Corsham
23 Pickwick Road, Corsham,
Wiltshire, SN13 9BH
01249 712193

Devizes
Ramsbury House
30 Market Place, Devizes
Wiltshire, SN10 1JG
01380 726913

Melksham
5 Bath Road, Melksham
Wiltshire, SN12 6LN
01225 703036

Trowbridge
2 Fore Street, Trowbridge
Wiltshire, BA14 8HX
01225 762683

Greenways
Unit 5
Greenways Business Park
Bellinger Close
Chippenham
SN15 1BN
01249 475880

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