Probate

[beattie819]

Can anyone give me a rough idea how long it might take to sort out my mums affairs. She passed away on 2nd April, solicitors are executors of the will.No property to sell, and a three way split of assets between me and my sisters. Not lots of money in assets, and just minimum liabilities,ie care bills and funeral)
Thank you

[factor-fiction]

The executors still need time to identify all assets and liabilities and give creditors chance to send bills. The process is unlikely to take less than 2 months and could easily take 6

[factor-fiction]

The solicitors will be able to give you a better idea though. If the estate is very small the process may be quick but the solicitors' fees may take up quite a chunk

[beattie819]

Thank you factor-fiction, that's what I thought

[gness]

If you feel the solicitor is going to charge too much you can ask them to release themselves from doing the probate for you and do it yourself. It's very easy. They will charge you £100 or so for the letter of release. x

[smoneybags]

My dad died last September and everything was finalised about a month ago. Like you there was no property to sell, the assets were divided between my sister and me, and the solicitor handled everything. It was worth paying the solicitor in our opinion.

[dzug2]

Solicitors are generally reluctant to finalise an estate until 6 months has elapsed. More on an 'in case' basis than anything.

[VHG]

The solicitors take a HUGE cut.

There is nothing you cant do yourself. One of my sisters did it when our mother died and there was a house to sell, inheritance tax to pay etc.

It saved us thousands.

[daisya]

Sorry to hear about your mum beattie. I have to agree with VHG. Even a solicitor advised me to administer my parent's Will and I did, saving a lot of money which would have taken a large chunk out of a not very large estate as there was no property involved either. It is always worth looking into doing things yourself if at all possible IMO.

[gness]

Hi Beattie....as others have said it is worth looking at doing it yourself. It really is very simple. When my solicitor was going to do it it meant me finding out the information...value of house, car, bank accounts etc., telling her and she filled them in on a form.. I did the donkey work...she got the money. There is a form they can fill in to say they will hand everything over to you. The only delay I had with probate was..she made a mistake filling in her form... :-)

[beattie819]

Thanks to everyone for your help.I will see if my sisters think it a good idea to do it ourselves, it seems much more sensible, as its a straightforward will.

[atalanta]

My father has been dead nearly 2 and a half years, and things are still not wrapped up. You need lots of patience.

[Peter Pedant]

you dont need to do it together
so long as the solicitors agree, then any of the executors can undertake the work.

it saves time and money and isnt difficult (having done my mother's)