If you have experienced the recent death of a family member then you need to speak to probate solicitors Portsmouth immediately. Probate solicitors are available to provide a professional yet kind and caring service during this difficult time for you and your family. The legal process following the death of a loved one can be complicated, especially for those who may not have experienced this before. By contacting probate solicitors from the outset they will be able to guide you through the process, carry out all paperwork on your behalf, collate and submit all necessary evidence, and deal with the appropriate authorities where necessary. They will ensure that each step of the process is carried out correctly and in a timely manner to prevent any lengthy complications or delays for you and your loved ones.
What is probate?
Probate is the process of obtaining the legal right of dealing with your loved one’s estate following their passing. Their estate is the total value of the property, money and possessions that they leave behind after they pass away. This needs to be calculated to begin with and you will need to find out whether or not you need to pay inheritance tax. Your probate solicitor will be able to help you calculate this amount where necessary.
Once the inheritance tax return has been submitted and any payments have been made where appropriate, the next step is to apply for probate. Your probate solicitor will help you do this. They will be able to tell you if you need to apply for probate and if you are eligible to do so. If your loved one left behind a will then the executor will apply for probate. If they did not leave behind a will then the closest living relatives will apply for probate. In some complicated circumstances there is a chance that your application may be challenged by other members of your family if there are any disputes or disagreements with regard to the estate. Your solicitor will help you deal with this where necessary and resolve such issues professionally so that you achieve the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
The presence and absence of a will
If your loved one had a will in place and you apply for probate with the original copy of the will this should be relatively quick and simple to process. The will should name the executor and the beneficiaries and the remaining estate can be divided according to your loved one’s wishes very easily without any dispute or disagreement. If there is not a will in place then the closest living relative will apply for probate and the court will decide who are the correct beneficiaries of the estate. Your solicitor will help you apply online or by post depending on your personal preferences.
Speak to probate solicitors following the death of your loved one as soon as possible and let them use their knowledge and expertise to help you through this difficult part of your life, so that you can spend more time on looking after your family and yourself during the process.