It’s a difficult time when someone we love passes away, and unfortunately, we are faced with difficult decisions, but we are here to support you as much as we can.

We understand you need time to grieve, and probate can be a complicated and overwhelming process. We have prepared a guide for you to look through in your own time before you get in touch with us.

How do I start probate?

When someone dies, their assets (such as their property, money and possessions) will be divided up between the beneficiaries of the estate, which is often through the instructions of the deceased set out in a will. Where is there is a will often a Grant of Probate is needed to administer the assets in the estate, but where there is no will a Grant of Letters of Administration will be required.   

It is important to establish who is legally entitled to administer an estate, which will either be executors named in a will or if there is no will, the individual(s) who are entitled to take out a Grant of Letter of Administration as determined by the law.  

Before you apply for a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration (Grant), it is important to build up details of the precise makeup of the assets and liabilities of the deceased’s persons estate and then then get them valued. This must be done in order to establish whether there is any tax that needs to be paid and when you apply to the court for the Grant the Probate Registry need to know the value of the estate. 

Why do I need a property valuation for probate?

When there is a property in the estate, the value of the property at the date of death will need to be included, so you should get a professional estate agent to value the property. This is where we come in. One of our agents will be able to value the property so you can more accurately specify the value of the property as part of the application for the Grant.

The value of property can vary from the date of death to the date a sale is agreed, as the market can change quickly, but that’s why it’s always good to speak with an estate agent who is familiar with the market in the local area and able to keep you up to date with current market conditions. This in turn can lead to the estate agent procuring some competitive offers on the property, if you choose to sell the property.  

Applying for probate can be done on your own, or through a solicitor. Though hiring a solicitor will incur extra costs, our solicitors at Move With Us/Martin Tolhurst Solicitors will be able to support and help you with applying for probate.

What can I expect when dealing with probate?

We understand that administering an estate can be daunting, especially if you have suffered a bereavement, but to make things easier, we can value your home at your speed and, without any pressure.

For many, the property being valued is not just a home, it’s a home full of memories. That’s why we take care with sensitive situations and always put you first.

What are the steps of probate?

We suggest talking to a solicitor to guide you through the estate administration. Our friends over at Move with Us/Martin Tolhurst Solicitors are available for you to get in touch with and help you.

How much does probate, estate administration property valuation cost?

The cost for probate (estate administration) depends on whether you choose to apply for a grant through a solicitor or if you apply yourself, but if you talk to one of our friends over it Move with Us/Martin Tolhurst Solicitors they can guide you through the different services they offer and the cost of them.

The costs of a property valuation depends on the agent - which, with Wards, is nothing! We offer a completely free property valuation of the home.

When should I contact an estate agent?

An estate agent is actually one of the first people you should contact when wanting to request probate.

This is because when administering the estate, not only do you need the valuation of the property, but you need to think carefully about when to market it, if the estate chooses to sell the property.

Our agents will handle your property valuation with care and compassion. We know that it may be difficult to visit the home, so we make the process as comfortable for you as possible.

Once we have valued the property, you can take as much time as you need and discuss with other family members or friends to decide if you do want to sell.

If you do decide to sell the property, you can get back in touch with us and we can help. We will market the property as normal.

If you are looking to value a home, get in touch with one of our experts and find out how we can help.