The death of a loved one can be a distressing and traumatic situation to find yourself in, especially if it was a sudden death that you may not have been prepared for. Dealing with legal and financial matters at such a time in your life would only add to the difficulty of the situation. Therefore, you should find a probate solicitor Emsworth who you can contact immediately to deal with all the legal matters from the onset until the very end. This will ensure a successful outcome for you and your loved ones with fewer complications and as little delay as possible.
If there has been a family member has passed away, then you should contact a probate solicitor as soon as you can and explain the situation so that they can put together an effective system to help ease the process and achieve positive results quickly.
If your loved one has left finances and assets, such as houses, buildings or land, then you may need to apply for probate. This can be a complex and time-consuming process for those who are untrained in the law; therefore, you have to inform your probate solicitor immediately to help you apply for probate.
What is probate?
Probate is a judicial process that validates the will of the deceased so that their last wishes can be fulfilled correctly and legally. Sometimes probate needs to be issued in the absence of a will. However, regardless of the situation, it is important that your probate solicitor is involved in all the proceedings to ensure that the process is smooth and easy for you. Whether you are a named executor or a personal representative, a probate solicitor can always be of help.
The 5 stages of probate
The probate process itself is made up of five different stages, and contacting a probate solicitor at the onset will allow them to see you through each of these stages. The solicitor can make sure that all the paperwork is completed and submitted promptly and that all the necessary evidence is collected. Furthermore and most importantly, the solicitor will ensure that you understand what is happening and what it means for you all throughout the process.
The different stages of probate involve identifying the assets that were in the possession of the deceased at the time of their death, and this includes their money, property, investments and possessions. Next, the liabilities of the deceased will be identified to help calculate the value of their estate. If a will exists, then entitlements can be verified, and if the deceased did not have a will in place, then the beneficiaries will be identified and the estate will be divided according to intestacy laws. Moreover, probate involves paying inheritance tax, submitting inheritance tax returns and paying administration expenses, income tax and capital gains tax.
Altogether probate can be a complicated process, and to ensure that there are no delays or complications, contact your probate solicitor today for professional and friendly representation throughout.
