Local Salisbury Lawyers – Specialists in Probate and Estate Administration
Dealing with the estate of a loved one after a death can feel overwhelming, particularly at what is already a difficult emotional time. There are often practical and legal issues that need to be dealt with quickly, including property, bank accounts, inheritance tax, debts and distributing the estate correctly. At Bonallack & Bishop, our Salisbury probate and estate solicitors provide clear, practical advice to help executors, administrators and families deal with probate and estate administration with confidence.
We advise clients in Salisbury, across Wiltshire and throughout England and Wales.
Lost a loved one and looking for local help with probate? Call our highly experienced Probate Solicitors on Salisbury 01722 422300 for FREE initial phone advice – with absolutely no strings attached.
Click here to read some Reviews of our Wills and Probate Solicitors from just some of our satisfied clients
Experienced Probate Solicitors in Salisbury
Our 15 strong probate team regularly assists clients with both straightforward and more complex estates.
We understand that many people acting as executors have never dealt with probate before and are worried about making mistakes or becoming personally responsible for problems later.
Our solicitors can guide you through the process carefully and explain matters in plain English throughout.
We regularly advise clients in Salisbury, Amesbury, the South Wiltshire villages and throughout Wiltshire
What Is Probate?
Probate is the legal process involved in dealing with a person’s estate after their death.
This may involve:
- Applying for a Grant of Probate
- Collecting in assets
- Closing bank accounts
- Selling or transferring property
- Paying debts
- Dealing with inheritance tax
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries
In some estates, probate is relatively straightforward. In others, the process can become more complicated due to family disputes, tax issues, business interests or missing paperwork.
Our Salisbury Probate Services
Our probate and estate solicitors can assist with:
- Full estate administration
- Applications for probate
- Letters of administration
- Inheritance tax issues
- Estate accounts
- Property transfers and sales
- Dealing with executors’ duties
- Probate disputes
- Claims against estates
- Disputed wills
- Trust administration
- Advice for beneficiaries
We can handle the entire process on your behalf or assist with specific parts of the administration where required.
Help for Executors and Administrators
Acting as an executor can involve significant responsibility.
Executors are responsible for ensuring that the estate is administered properly and that beneficiaries are dealt with correctly.
This can include:
- Locating assets
- Identifying debts
- Contacting financial institutions
- Dealing with HMRC
- Preparing estate accounts
- Distributing funds correctly
Many executors prefer to instruct solicitors to reduce stress and help ensure that the estate is handled properly.
Dealing With Probate Delays
Many executors are surprised by how long probate can sometimes take, particularly where property sales, inheritance tax issues or financial institutions are involved.
Delays can arise for a number of reasons including:
- Difficulty locating assets
- Problems obtaining property valuations
- Complex inheritance tax reporting
- Missing paperwork
- Disputes between beneficiaries
- Delays from banks and investment providers
Our probate solicitors aim to manage the process proactively and keep clients informed throughout so that unnecessary delays are reduced wherever possible.
Probate and Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax can add further complexity to estate administration. Even where no inheritance tax is payable, there may still be reporting requirements.
More complicated estates may involve:
- Business assets
- Investment portfolios
- Multiple properties
- Agricultural assets
- Trusts
- Lifetime gifts
Our probate solicitors can assist in dealing with the legal and practical aspects of inheritance tax reporting and estate administration.
Probate Disputes and Contested Estates
Unfortunately, disputes sometimes arise after a death.
These may involve:
- Challenges to the validity of a will
- Concerns about undue influence
- Disputes between beneficiaries
- Concerns regarding executors
- Financial dependency claims
- Disagreements over estate administration
These situations can be emotionally difficult for families. Our solicitors have plenty of experience of contested probate cases – and as a result they aim to provide practical and sensitive advice while working towards a sensible resolution wherever possible.
Property and Probate
Many estates involve property that needs to be transferred or sold.
Questions often arise regarding:
- Selling inherited property
- Jointly owned homes
- Empty properties
- Buy-to-let investments
- Insurance issues
- Property maintenance during probate
Bonallack & Bishop regularly assists executors and families with probate property matters across Salisbury and Wiltshire, and our 30 strong conveyancing team regularly sell or transfer probate property.
Local Probate Solicitors in Salisbury
Many clients prefer using a local solicitor who they can meet face to face and speak with directly.
Our Salisbury office offers clients:
- Face-to-face appointments
- Telephone appointments
- Video meetings
- Practical, personal service
We understand that probate matters are often handled during stressful and emotional periods and we aim to make the process as straightforward as possible.
Why Use a Solicitor for Probate?
Some people deal with probate themselves. However, professional advice can often help avoid problems and delays.
Solicitors may be particularly helpful where:
- The estate is valuable
- Property is involved
- There are disputes
- There are complicated tax issues
- Executors are uncertain about their responsibilities
- Beneficiaries are in conflict
- The will is unclear
Our probate team aims to reduce stress and help estates be administered efficiently and correctly.
Compassionate Support During Difficult Times
We understand that probate work is not simply an administrative process. Families are often dealing with grief while also trying to manage practical and financial responsibilities.
Our Salisbury probate team aims to provide a calm, supportive and approachable service throughout the administration of the estate. Many clients appreciate having experienced solicitors guiding them through matters step by step during what can be a very difficult period.
Speak to Our Salisbury Probate and Estate Administration Solicitors
If you need advice about probate, estate administration or inheritance disputes, our experienced probate team is here to help.
Bonallack & Bishop’s Salisbury probate and estate solicitors advise executors, administrators and families across Salisbury, Wiltshire and surrounding areas.
Contact us today to arrange an initial discussion. Simply Call our highly experienced Probate Solicitors on Salisbury 01722 422300.