News & insights A helping hand with Probate 2 minutes of reading - Written by Roche Legal It’s hard enough as it is coming to terms with the death of a loved one, but the legal formalities can add to the pressures of trying to sort everything out. Whilst there is always the option for executors or next of kin to personally apply for the Grant of Administration without any professional help, this can often be time-consuming and will mean being interviewed by the Court. Using a solicitor to help you will mean that the process is a lot smoother. We can also advise you along the way of the practical formalities such as when you are entitled to clear the house, dispose of personal items and who is entitled to see a copy of any Will. This can help to reduce the possibility of disputes between the family and will mean that everyone knows exactly what’s what. It can also help having an impartial third party to assist with family meetings, if necessary. If you’re dealing with the death of a family member or friend and you need some help, call us for a free consultation. This is never a sales pitch and we will do what we can during this appointment to help you with the process. If you then decide that you would like us to deal with the legal formalities for you, we will tell you exactly how much it will cost and how long it will take. We will do all the leg work. You needn’t deal with everything yourself, we are here to help. How Roche Legal can help We are reassuring experts who can help you with a wide range of legal matters. Please get in touch if you need legal support with: Trusts and Estate Planning Wills Probate and Estate Administration Contested Probate and Will Disputes Powers of Attorney Court of Protection matters Presumption of Death Applications Missing Persons Guardianship Applications Further Reading Is your Will registered? Ensuring your Will is registered allows your family to easily locate it and respect your wishes after you have passed on. We can register your Will with Certainty, the National Will Register, often free of charge. New Intestacy Rules have come into force As of 1 October 2014, the rules for distributing assets without a Will have changed, potentially leading to unintended distributions. While the new rules simplify matters, they still require careful consideration, especially for those with children or in second marriages, to ensure wishes are clearly laid out and tax liabilities are minimized. No to digital Lasting Powers of Attorney… for now Plans to introduce the paperless creation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney have been halted due to concerns over security, forgery, and accessibility. Currently, LPAs must still be printed, signed by hand, and posted to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration. View all insights Ready for clear, reliable legal advice? Contact us for straightforward advice that makes things easier, saves you money, and gives you peace of mind. Contact us