A question about probate? My Father died recently and has not left a will.?
Question:
I am unsure whether to use a solicitor or not. They obviously charge a lot of money but if I do it all myself something, I might miss something out and it could be a lot more costly.
What do you think?
Answer:
Probate for a large estate can be complex. I would suggest getting a solicitor to help you. I'd ask to see one for an interview first, and determine exactly how he will charge for the work.
Unfortunately, the UK is not blessed with many great legal minds. There's a chance that a solicitor will also miss something if the estate is unusual - you might want to interview a few before settling on one. Make sure they've had experience with similar estates - overseas, multiple banks, real estate etc.
Since you are your father's child, you will get a portion of his estate. See a lawyer to see how much.
Worth employing a recommended specialised solicitor. Will pay dividends in the long term.
you should get a solicitor to deal with it and to make sure any creditors are paid .It may cost money but its easier than making a mistake you can still be involved in the dividing of property and cash and who gets what
see if you can seek some 'free' financial advice from someone, we didn't go through a solicitor with my father as it would have cost around £20,000, but there was a will.
get the forms from the probate office and see if you can go through them. also if you get stuck, get the 'dummies guide to wills probate and inheritance tax' it helped me with understanding it.
I think as long as you declare and prove everything on the probate form, but I'm not sure about inheritance tax, you maybe ok if there are just 2 of you.
get the book if you don't get what really need to know on here.
I'm sorry for your loss and wish you luck.
Obviously you are in the UK, I don't know about there but here in the states it falls under the rules of intestate succession. Which means it follows the order of spouse, then children, then any other grandchildren, brothers sisters etc. In any case I would recommend hiring a solicitor. There can be a lot of taxes associated with a death and you may end up losing a lot if you try to do it yourself. My father died with a will and i was appointed executrix of his estate. It's a lot of work and paperwork. You want to cover all your bases. It may cost you a little to hire one but you could lose more in the long run. Good luck
My father died last year and we tried to do it without a solicitor, but believe me, it's an absolute nightmare.
The solicitors fees were worth every single penny.
Go for the solicitor. If there was ever one your father did business with he may be able to enlighten you as to the value of the estate and how it should be divided.
My Condolances, First, you must hire someone to help, the probate will take whatever they want. You'll be left with little or nothing... Ask around, ask someone you trust, perhaps a bank offical or a trusted friend of your fathers, someone who has no interest in the money, only for you and your brother.Good Luck
For that amount you definitely need a solicitor.
I dealt with my aunt's estate myself and she left the same sort of sum. A soliciotr can only use the info you give him to deal with the estate, so if you leave something out, so will he.
It's just a process to go through and I would think any reasonably intelligent person could do it. You would, of course, have to have a solicitor to sell the property, but otherwise, its do-able.
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