Hampshire Lawyers help with Probate & Estate Administration 

It can be difficult for anyone to focus on practicalities when dealing with the death of someone close. Langdowns Limited can alleviate the stress of the situation by applying for Probate and dealing with the administration on your behalf.

As lawyers based in central Hampshire, we have contacts with many local professionals to ensure that the Administration of the Estate can be dealt with swiftly and comprehensively.

Alternatively if you wish to minimise the costs, we can provide advice and assistance just with the more complicated aspects of the process.

We can accept instructions from executors and family members and, if we are instructed to act on behalf of executors or administrators, our fees can be paid out of the estate.

If someone dies without a valid Will then the administration and distribution of their estate is governed by statute. Spouses, civil partners or close relatives can be appointed as the administrators of the estate. The order in which people can apply is set down by an Act of Parliament.

When someone has written a Will the Executors appointed are responsible for sorting out the affairs. The executors can carry out the work themselves or can instruct a professional to assist them or complete the work on their behalf.

The executors or administrators are responsible for collecting in the assets, paying the debts and then sharing out the property to those entitled. They are also responsible for calculating and paying any tax due.

Langdowns Limited can prepare the Inheritance Tax forms as we have our own in house tax specialist and we have excellent links with accountants to ensure that even the most complicated tax issues are resolved quickly. It is necessary to do this before any application for probate can be lodged.

It is possible to vary a Will after death and the statutory order of distribution under intestacy. There are strict time limits if you wish to take advantage of any tax benefits that this may bring. If you are interested in a variation you should seek advice quickly.