Estates & Inheritance

How we can help

After a death, knowing who inherits is only part of the process. Someone must have authority to administer the estate, collect assets, settle liabilities and carry the distribution through to completion.

We assist executors, prospective administrators and beneficiaries with letters of administration and probate applications, estate disputes, accounts, orders for sale and distribution, and the release or transfer of assets. Our work can include money held by financial institutions, shares and property, together with the tax, consent and registration requirements relevant to the estate.

Our work in practice

Resolving competing family claims

We assisted a surviving spouse following an intestate death, addressing family claims through agreed arrangements reflected in court orders and carrying out the resulting estate payments. The work involved clarifying the spouse’s position and implementing the agreed distribution.

Obtaining authority to sell

We obtained a court order authorising an administrator to sell and transfer an estate property. This involved addressing the administrator’s authority and the court permission needed to carry the proposed transaction forward.

From distribution order to registered ownership

We obtained a distribution order and carried an estate property transfer through stamping and land-registry registration. The work continued beyond obtaining the order to the documents and registration needed to put the transfer into effect.

Payments, records and estate accounts

We assisted with beneficiary payments, reconciliation of stakeholder funds, stamp-duty and land-tax payments, and the handover of property titles. Clear records of money received, expenses paid and distributions made help administrators explain how the estate has been handled.

These anonymised examples describe work undertaken in individual matters. The appropriate steps and outcome depend on each estate.

Your options

If there is no grant: we assess whether probate, letters of administration or another estate-administration route is appropriate. The will, assets, value, location and applicable succession law matter. Muslim estates may also require faraid or other Syariah determinations; an inheritance entitlement is distinct from authority to administer.

If claims or accounts are disputed: we review the relationships, documents and existing orders, seek explanations or accounts where appropriate, and consider negotiation or court directions. Any settlement must respect the parties’ lawful rights.

If assets remain to be transferred: we identify the necessary sale or distribution orders, release documents and institution-specific requirements. Shares may require company, broker or depository procedures; property may require consents, stamping and land registration. Estate income-tax obligations and the treatment of any disposal also need review.

What happens next

Before you contact us

Prepare the death certificate, any original will, family details, available asset and debt records, and existing grants or court orders. If administration has begun, include accounts, correspondence and details of any disputed payments or proposed sale. Tell us about urgent deadlines or concerns about estate assets.

Start with a brief enquiry. We can then arrange an appropriate channel for confidential documents.

General information only. Contacting us does not by itself create a solicitor-client relationship.