When someone dies, it is difficult to know what to do first, where to turn to for help and how to understand the information you need to take in. The word Probate causes concern and confusion for many people, but it needn’t be something you have to worry about. 

Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate. The name derives from the Grant of Probate, which is the Court document issued to the Executors of a Will to enable them to deal with assets. If someone dies without a Will, a different Grant is required; known as a Grant of Letters of Administration. This Grant is issued to the nearest family of the deceased, or the ‘Administrators’ of the estate.

The Grant of Probate and Grant of Letters of Administration are both referred to as ‘Grants of Representation’. When a person dies the assets and liabilities they own and control in their own right need to be looked after and passed on in accordance with their Will or the laws of intestacy.

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To learn more about Probate, download our digital guide below, or call us for more information.