Navigate Estate Administration With Confidence and Support
Being named as executor is both an honour and a responsibility. You don't have to handle it alone. We provide the practical guidance and support you need during a challenging time.
Return to HomeWhat This Service Delivers
Estate administration involves numerous legal, financial, and practical tasks. We handle the complexity so you can focus on what matters most during this difficult time.
Peace of Mind
Confidence that estate matters are being handled properly, with expert guidance through each step of the process.
Reduced Burden
We handle time-consuming tasks like correspondence with institutions, paperwork preparation, and regulatory compliance.
Protection From Mistakes
Proper administration protects you from potential liability and ensures beneficiaries receive what they're entitled to.
Timely Completion
Our experience helps avoid common delays and complications, moving matters toward resolution efficiently.
This service transforms an overwhelming responsibility into a manageable process. You'll have expert support at every stage, clear guidance when questions arise, and the assurance that you're fulfilling your duties properly.
We Understand What You're Facing
Serving as executor often comes at one of life's most difficult moments, adding practical burdens to emotional challenges.
The Responsibilities Feel Overwhelming
You're trying to understand probate procedures, value assets, deal with banks and HMRC, settle debts, and distribute the estate correctly. Each task seems to have its own complexities and requirements. The sheer volume of work can feel daunting, especially when you're also managing your own grief and daily responsibilities.
You're Worried About Making Mistakes
As executor, you have legal responsibilities to beneficiaries and the estate. What if you miss something important? What if you distribute assets incorrectly? These concerns are natural, but they add stress to an already challenging situation. You want to do right by the person who trusted you with this role.
The Process Seems Confusing
Legal and financial institutions use terminology you may not understand. Forms require information you're not sure how to obtain. Deadlines and requirements vary depending on the estate's complexity. Without guidance, it's difficult to know what needs doing, in what order, or how long everything should take.
Time and Emotion Create Additional Strain
You may be balancing executor duties with work, family responsibilities, and your own grieving process. Perhaps you live far from where the deceased resided, making practical tasks more difficult. Family dynamics might add tension, with beneficiaries asking questions or expressing concerns. You need support but aren't sure where to find it.
These challenges are completely normal. Being named as executor is an honour, but it's also a significant responsibility. You don't need to navigate it alone or pretend everything is manageable when it feels overwhelming.
How We Support Your Estate Administration
Our approach is flexible, providing exactly the level of support you need, whether that's full administration or guidance on specific aspects.
Understanding the Estate
We begin by reviewing what you know about the estate and identifying what still needs to be discovered. This includes locating assets, understanding debts and liabilities, determining the validity of the will, and identifying all beneficiaries.
We help you organize information systematically, ensuring nothing is overlooked and giving you a clear picture of what the estate comprises.
Obtaining Probate or Letters of Administration
We prepare and submit the necessary applications to the probate registry, handling all required documentation and calculations. This includes preparing inheritance tax returns for HMRC, even when no tax is due.
Our experience with these processes means applications are completed correctly the first time, avoiding delays from incomplete or incorrect submissions.
Managing Estate Assets and Liabilities
We handle correspondence with banks, investment companies, insurance providers, and other institutions, obtaining valuations and arranging transfers or closures as needed. We also identify and settle outstanding debts and liabilities.
For property sales or complex assets, we coordinate with estate agents, surveyors, and other professionals, ensuring everything progresses smoothly.
Distribution to Beneficiaries
Once debts are settled and all assets are collected, we prepare detailed accounts showing what the estate comprised, what was paid out, and what remains for distribution. We then arrange distribution according to the will or intestacy rules.
We ensure beneficiaries receive clear information about their entitlements and handle any questions or concerns that arise during this final stage.
Flexible Support Tailored to Your Needs
Some executors want full administration services, where we handle everything from start to finish. Others prefer to manage certain aspects themselves and seek guidance on specific challenges.
We're happy to provide whatever level of involvement suits your situation. Whether you need comprehensive support or just advice on particular aspects, we tailor our service to what you need.
Your Journey With Us
Understanding what to expect can help reduce anxiety about the road ahead.
Initial Consultation
We meet to discuss the estate and your role as executor. You'll explain what you know about the deceased's assets and affairs, and we'll help you understand what the administration process will involve. We discuss which aspects you'd like us to handle and which you might prefer to manage yourself. You'll leave with a clear roadmap and understanding of next steps.
Estate Assessment and Planning
We help you gather information about all assets and liabilities, creating a comprehensive picture of the estate. We identify what documentation is needed, who needs to be contacted, and what timeline is realistic. This planning phase ensures we approach the administration systematically and efficiently.
Active Administration
As we work through the various tasks, we keep you informed of progress and involve you in important decisions. You'll know what's happening at each stage, what's been completed, and what comes next. We handle the time-consuming correspondence and paperwork while ensuring you remain properly informed and in control.
Addressing Challenges
If complications arise, such as difficult-to-value assets, disputed claims, or beneficiary concerns, we help you navigate these issues with care and expertise. Our experience means we can often anticipate potential problems and address them before they become serious.
Final Distribution and Closure
When all assets are collected and liabilities settled, we prepare final accounts and arrange distribution to beneficiaries. We ensure all legal requirements are met and that you're properly protected from future claims. The estate is brought to closure with everything handled correctly and completely.
The Support You'll Receive
Throughout this journey, we're available to answer questions, provide guidance, and handle tasks on your behalf. Estate administration can take months, and having reliable support makes an enormous difference to your experience.
We understand that you're balancing these responsibilities with everything else in your life, often while grieving. We provide patient, understanding support that reduces your burden rather than adding to it.
Understanding the Investment
Our fees are transparent and tailored to the level of involvement required for your specific estate.
£985
Initial consultation and guidance package
This covers comprehensive initial consultation, estate assessment, planning guidance, and support for straightforward estates where you handle most tasks yourself with our advice.
What's Included in the Initial Package
Detailed initial consultation
Estate assessment and asset identification
Guidance on probate application process
Review of inheritance tax considerations
Administration roadmap and timeline
Template letters and forms
Ongoing email and phone support
Review of final accounts before distribution
Full Administration Services
For estates requiring more comprehensive support, we offer full administration where we handle all aspects on your behalf. Fees for full administration are typically calculated as a percentage of the estate value or on an hourly basis, depending on complexity.
Full administration includes:
- • Complete probate application preparation and submission
- • All correspondence with banks, investment providers, and HMRC
- • Asset collection and valuation coordination
- • Debt and liability settlement
- • Estate account preparation and distribution to beneficiaries
Transparent Pricing
Before we begin any work, we provide a clear estimate based on your estate's specific circumstances. For full administration, we explain how fees are calculated and what they'll likely total.
Estate administration costs are usually paid from the estate itself, so you're not typically bearing these expenses personally. We discuss all financial aspects openly during your initial consultation.
This investment brings you expert guidance, practical support, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're fulfilling your executor duties properly.
How We Achieve Results
Our systematic approach and extensive experience help executors complete estate administration efficiently and correctly.
Systematic Process Management
Estate administration involves numerous sequential and parallel tasks. Our experience means we know what needs doing, in what order, and how long each stage typically takes. This systematic approach prevents important steps from being overlooked and helps the overall process move forward efficiently.
Established Relationships
We have working relationships with probate registries, financial institutions, HMRC, and other bodies involved in estate administration. These connections often help resolve issues more quickly than if you were approaching these organizations for the first time as an individual executor.
Problem Anticipation and Resolution
Our experience with hundreds of estates means we can often anticipate potential complications before they arise. When unexpected issues do occur, we draw on that experience to find solutions efficiently, preventing delays and reducing stress for you.
Realistic Timelines
Straightforward estates can often be administered within six to nine months. More complex estates involving property sales, business assets, or overseas elements may take twelve to eighteen months. We provide realistic timeframes based on your specific circumstances and keep you informed if delays occur.
Estates successfully administered
Executors report reduced stress levels
Proper compliance with legal requirements
Every estate is different, and we approach each with individual attention. These results reflect our commitment to thorough, careful work and genuine support for executors during a challenging time.
Our Commitment to You
We want you to feel confident about the support you'll receive.
Clear Communication Always
We explain estate administration in plain language, avoiding unnecessary legal jargon. You'll understand what's happening at each stage, what decisions you need to make, and what we're handling on your behalf. Questions are answered promptly and thoroughly.
Protection of Your Interests
As executor, you have legal responsibilities and potential personal liability. We ensure all work is done correctly, protecting you from future claims or challenges. Proper administration safeguards both the estate and you personally.
Respectful Handling
We understand that you're dealing with the loss of someone important while managing practical responsibilities. We treat beneficiaries, family members, and all parties with courtesy and respect, recognizing the emotional dimensions alongside the legal requirements.
Flexible Service Approach
Your needs may change as administration progresses. Perhaps you'd initially planned to handle certain tasks but find you'd prefer our help. We remain flexible, adjusting our involvement as your circumstances evolve.
No-Obligation Initial Consultation
Your first meeting carries no commitment. Come discuss the estate, your responsibilities, and what support would be helpful. Whether you decide to engage our services or handle matters yourself, you'll leave with clearer understanding and practical guidance.
Many executors find that even a single consultation provides valuable clarity and reduces their anxiety about the process ahead.
Getting Started is Simple
You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Contact Us
Reach out through the contact form below, by phone, or via email. Let us know you've been named as executor and would like guidance. There's no need to have all the estate details organized or understand all the terminology. Just share where you are in the process.
Schedule Your Consultation
We'll arrange a convenient time to meet at our Edinburgh office or via video call. The initial consultation typically lasts about an hour, giving us time to understand the estate and discuss how we can help.
Discuss the Estate
During the meeting, we talk through what you know about the deceased's assets and affairs, what you've done so far, and what concerns you have. Bring any documents you have available, but don't worry if you don't have everything yet.
Receive Clear Guidance
We'll explain what estate administration involves for your specific situation, what your responsibilities are, and what support options are available. You'll understand the process, timeline, and what decisions lie ahead.
Decide How to Proceed
Take whatever time you need to consider your options. If you'd like our help, we'll explain next steps and begin work on your behalf. If you prefer to handle matters yourself with occasional guidance, we can arrange that. There's no pressure to decide immediately.
When to Reach Out
The earlier you seek guidance, the more we can help you avoid common pitfalls and delays. Even if you're just starting to think about what being executor involves, a consultation can provide valuable clarity and direction.
We respond to all enquiries within one business day. Everything you share is treated with complete confidentiality from your first contact onwards.
You Don't Have to Navigate This Alone
Being named as executor is an honour that comes with significant responsibilities. Having expert support makes the journey more manageable and less stressful. Let's discuss your situation and explore how we can help you fulfill your duties with confidence and care.
Explore Our Other Services
We provide comprehensive support across all areas of inheritance law.
Contested Will Representation
When questions arise about a will's validity or fairness, we provide thorough investigation and clear guidance to help you understand your position and protect what matters.
Inheritance Act Claims
If you believe you haven't received reasonable financial provision from an estate, we can help assess your eligibility and pursue fair outcomes under the Inheritance Act 1975.