Probate services

Dealing with the probate process can be a daunting and overwhelming task, especially during a time of grief and loss.

At Larking Gowen we understand the challenges you face and are here to offer a compassionate and professional service to guide you through the whole process.

Don't navigate the probate process alone. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team.

Get in touch

Our team of experienced probate specialists is committed to providing you with the support and expertise you need to navigate probate efficiently and effectively. With our trusted probate services, you can find peace of mind knowing that your loved one's estate is in capable hands. We can advise on income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax all together, helping to minimise your overall tax liability.

Why choose us?

Expertise and knowledge

Our team consists of skilled probate professionals who have in-depth knowledge and expertise in probate laws and procedures.

Efficient and timely process

We understand that the probate process can be lengthy and time-consuming. With our experience and knowledge, we can navigate through the necessary paperwork, legal requirements in a timely manner.

Clear communication

We believe in the importance of clear and open communication. Throughout the probate process, we will keep you informed, explain the steps involved, and address any questions or concerns you may have.

Personalised approach

We recognise that every estate is unique, and our approach reflects that. We take the time to understand your specific circumstances, family dynamics, and goals.

Steps in administering an estate

Whether you’re an executor named in a will or seeking professional help to manage an estate, we can guide you through the full probate process.

Once you contact us, we'll take the following steps in administering the estate:

Establish the assets and liabilities as at the date of death
Prepare any required tax returns and calculations
Apply for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
Collect in assets and settle outstanding liabilities
Manage income tax and capital gains tax liabilities of the estate
Distribute assets to beneficiaries
Prepare the final estate accounts

We can act as executors ourselves or support the named executors. If you’d prefer to handle parts of the process, we can assist with specific areas such as tax returns or correspondence with HMRC.

Already a Client?
If you’re an existing client, we may already hold key information needed to manage the estate. This can help us move more quickly and efficiently through the probate process.

Pricing Transparency

The fees for our services are charged based on the time spent at hourly rates for the individuals involved on your assignment (the cost is dependent on the seniority of the person carrying out the work).

We will provide you with an estimate of our fee for the work that we have agreed to undertake on your behalf, prior to work starting. Additional services will be charged at the relevant hourly rates.

Invoices will be raised throughout the assignment unless otherwise agreed. We don’t usually demand settlement of fees until after you’ve obtained probate and have access to funds in the estate.

Costs incurred on your behalf such as the probate application fee will be added to our charges but are not subject to VAT.

We do not charge fees based on the value of the estate.

Timing

It will typically take at least six months to get the grant of probate, depending on how readily available the information is, and the time taken to receive third party valuations etc.

Once the assets and liabilities of an estate have been established, we would then complete the inheritance tax forms and submit these to HMRC where required. We then must wait up to 20 days after their submission to HMRC before we can send in the probate application, as HMRC have to send us a code to allow us to submit the online probate application.

Currently the probate registry is taking 16 weeks to process applications.

Quality of Service

If you’d like to talk to us about how we could improve our service to you, or if you are unhappy with the service you are receiving, please let us know.

We will carefully consider any complaint you make about our probate or estate administration work as soon as we receive it and do all we can to resolve it. We will acknowledge your letter within five business days of its receipt and endeavour to deal with it within eight weeks. If we do not deal with your complaint in this time, or if you are unhappy with our response, you may of course take up the matter with our regulatory body, the ICAEW, or the Legal Ombudsman (LeO).

To make a compliant to the ICAEW please see: How to make a complaint | ICAEW

To make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, you must —

a) refer the complaint to the Legal Ombudsman no later than:

one year from the act/omission that forms the basis of your complaint; or
one year from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint; and

b) make the referral to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of the date of our final written response to you.

Case Study 1

Case Study 2

Case Study 3

Contact details for the Legal Ombudsman

T: 0300 555 0333

E: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk

Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6167, Slough SL1 0EH

In the unlikely event that we cannot meet our liabilities to you, you may be able to seek a grant from ICAEW’s Probate Compensation Scheme. Generally, applications for a grant must be made to ICAEW within 12 months of the time you became aware, or reasonably ought to have become aware, of the loss.

Further information about the scheme and the circumstances in which grants may be made is available on ICAEW’s website: www.icaew.com/probate

Find out more here.

Relevant Insights

Brochure

Probate Services

Bereavement is a difficult time for families. We offer a probate service that covers the whole process of administering a deceased person’s estate.

Blog

Probate: Informal tax payment arrangements

Tuesday 5 April 2022

Ian explains informal tax payment arrangements when dealing with probate matters.

News

Larking Gowen strengthens its private client, trusts and probate offering

We're delighted to announce that Nina Baker has been promoted to the position of Director. Nina's new role, which took effect from 1 January 2024, will see her specialising in inheritance tax planning and probate work.

Blog

Wills and probate: a recent lesson

Thursday, 14 November 2019

It was worrying to read recently that Lloyds Bank has discovered thousands of customers’ wills stored in its ‘safe custody’ service, which was closed to new customers in 2011. This situation is a good reminder to anyone making a will or who already has a will. Read on for advice on avoiding the pitfalls.