Probate Services

Probate

Before you even start: Probate can be a long process and you will need to determine if this is something you want to undertake. It might prove to be an emotional journey at a time when you are feeling vulnerable and grieving. Whether you are an executor or the next of kin, you have choices as whether you wish to act. You could decide to act yourself through the process, but still engage a professional service to help you. Most professionals will agree to take their fees from the estate assets at the end, as opposed to insisting that you pay in advance. At Maple Wills we will help you deal with Probate with unlimited consultation. Once agreed to progress with our services, our fees are fixed and agreed in advance.

Two thirds of people appoint a professional to help them with Probate and common reasons include:

Personal Reasons

Not having enough time, confidence or ability to deal with the paperwork
Concerns and worries about making a mistake
Concern about being the central figure in the estate and having to answer numerous questions from family members and authorities

Practical Reasons

Speed, professionals usually complete the process swiftly
The estate is intestate (no will) and complex
There is a dispute
The estate is insolvent
There is an inheritance tax bill
There is a deed of variation required
The will is invalid
The terms of the will are unclear
The deceased owned a business
The deceased owned property abroad
The deceased inherited within two years.

Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with their estate can feel overwhelming during such a difficult time. Probate is the legal process of managing someone’s affairs after they’ve passed away. If the person left a Will, the Executors named in it will need to apply for a Grant of Probate. If there is no Will, the responsibility falls to the closest next of kin, who must apply for Letters of Administration.

At Maple Wills we understand that this process can be confusing and emotionally challenging, which is why we’re here to help. If you’re unsure who the next of kin is, we can assist by building a family tree to identify the right person. Our caring and experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way, offering support with sensitivity and professionalism.

About Probate:

Why it’s important

There is a lot of responsibility and liability involves when taking a probate matter forward. You must keep estate accounts, tax records, bank statements and correspondence for 12 years. HMRC related records for 20 years, and always keep the Grant of Probate permanently, it can be useful years later for property, inheritance or genealogy matters. If you are the executor, keeping a full copy of everything for 12 years is commonly advised because beneficiaries can potentially bring claims during that period. If estate administration isn’t carried out by a professional, it can cause problems later. Examples of this are, inheritance tax relief not being available when a surviving spouse dies, and Trusts being incorrectly implemented. If there was a Trust created under the will, keep records for the life of the Trust.

What we offer

We firstly offer free consultation, followed by great value, fixed-cost estate administration services. The cost is based on the complexity of your estate and not a percentage of the estate value.

Is it Necessary?

Probate is not always necessary when a person dies, it really depends on the assets that they leave behind. It will depend on: value of the estate, assets the person owned and how those assets were held. If a person owns a property in their sole name, then probate will be required. If not, it depends on how much money they have in the bank, overseas or may have given away. At Maple Wills we will always offer clear transparent advice if Probate is needed or not.

Wishes

Without a Will, when you’re gone your wishes won’t be considered. The legal rules of intestacy take over, which can lead to unintended consequences and cause stress and disagreements among family members. Having a Will gives you peace of mind that your gift will go to your loved ones. It’s a simple way to make sure your wishes are honoured.

Single Wills

A single Will is created by one person and outlines their individual wishes for how their estate should be handled after they pass away. It’s ideal for people who are not in a relationship, or for those who have different wishes from their partner.

Mirrored Wills

Mirrored Wills are two separate but almost identical Wills, usually made by couples. Each person leaves their estate to the other, and then to the same beneficiaries (like children) if both pass away. They’re a popular choice for married couples or partners who share the same wishes.
Mirrored wills are not legally linked — either person can change their will at any time without telling the other. Both types of wills must meet legal requirements to be valid, including being signed and witnessed properly.

About Wills:

Wills

A Will sets out how you want your money, property, and possessions to be distributed after your death and allows you to appoint guardians for children under the age of 18.

We can’t predict when our time will come to an end. You’ve worked hard every day, putting in the effort to get where you are now. Ultimately, we want to share the results of our lifelong work with our loved ones. Giving the product of our life’s work as a gift is the biggest and best thing we can do – it’s everything we own. It’s crucial to make sure this is done right – by writing a Will.

Probate Services

Probate

About Probate:

Why it’s important

What we offer