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Losing someone close to you is hard enough without the legal and financial demands of settling their estate. At Painters Law LLP, our estate administration solicitors take that weight off your shoulders, guiding executors and families through probate, asset management and inheritance tax with clear, practical advice at every stage.
Whether you’re applying for a grant of probate for the first time or managing a complex estate with property and investments, our Kidderminster and Stourport-based team is on hand to help.
Estate administration is the legal process of managing a deceased person’s affairs: identifying and valuing their assets, settling any debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to beneficiaries in line with the will, or the rules of intestacy if there isn’t one. It typically involves obtaining probate, dealing with HMRC, and closing or transferring accounts and property.
Probate is the legal process that confirms a will is valid and gives the executor authority to deal with the estate. If the estate is worth more than £5,000, or includes property, banks and other institutions will usually require a grant of probate before releasing funds or transferring ownership.
Not every estate needs probate. Smaller estates, or those held entirely in joint names, can sometimes be settled without it. Our solicitors in Worcestershire can tell you quickly whether probate applies in your circumstances.
When someone dies without a will, their estate is distributed under the rules of intestacy rather than their personal wishes. This can mean unexpected outcomes for unmarried partners, stepchildren or wider family, and often adds complexity to an already difficult time. Our team can talk you through exactly who inherits under intestacy and help you administer the estate correctly.
Most straightforward estates take between six months and a year to fully administer, though the grant of probate itself is often issued within 12 to 16 weeks of application. Larger or more complex estates, particularly those involving property sales, disputes or inheritance tax, can take longer. We keep executors updated throughout so there are no surprises.
Acting as an executor carries real legal responsibility. Executors are expected to:
Getting any of this wrong can expose an executor to personal liability, which is why most choose to have a solicitor manage the process alongside them.
You can apply for probate yourself, and for very simple estates some people do. However, DIY probate carries risk: mistakes in valuing assets, missing a debt, or misapplying inheritance tax rules can delay the process or create personal liability for the executor. Instructing a solicitor is usually the safer, faster route, particularly for estates with property, business assets or overseas elements.
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Our wills and probate solicitors handle the full grant of probate application on your behalf: preparing the legal paperwork, calculating any inheritance tax due, and liaising with the Probate Registry so the process moves as quickly as possible.
If someone dies without a valid will, the person dealing with the estate applies for letters of administration instead of a grant of probate. The process is similar, but the rules on who is entitled to apply, and how the estate is shared, differ. We can advise on who should apply and manage the application for you.
Before anything can be distributed, every asset and liability needs to be properly identified and valued, from property and pensions to bank accounts, investments and outstanding debts. We carry out this groundwork thoroughly, protecting executors from later claims that something was missed or undervalued.
Inheritance tax applies to estates above the current threshold, and getting the calculation wrong can lead to penalties or delays. Our inheritance tax solicitors work out exactly what’s owed, apply any available reliefs, and manage payment to HMRC as part of the wider administration process.
A deed of variation allows beneficiaries to redirect their inheritance, often to reduce the overall inheritance tax bill or provide for family members not named in the will. This has to be done within strict time limits and legal requirements, so early advice matters. We regularly advise families on whether a deed of variation could benefit their situation.
Certain estates qualify for reliefs such as agricultural property relief or business property relief, which can significantly reduce the tax due. We review every estate for these opportunities as standard.
Where the deceased owned property, we help executors decide whether to sell, transfer or let it, and handle the legal work involved, from clearing the title to managing the transaction, while keeping everything compliant with tax and probate rules.
A will can be challenged on grounds such as lack of capacity, undue influence, or improper execution. If a dispute arises, our contentious probate team steps in to protect the estate and work towards a resolution, whether through negotiation or, where necessary, court proceedings.
Disagreements often arise over unequal inheritance, executor conduct, or missing beneficiaries. We handle these sensitively but firmly, aiming to reach a fair outcome without unnecessary cost or delay to the estate.
With over 70 years of experience and offices in Kidderminster and Stourport, our Wills & Probate team has supported hundreds of local families through estate administration, from straightforward probate applications to complex, contested estates. We combine legal expertise with the kind of clear, human communication you need at a difficult time.
If you’re dealing with a loved one’s estate, or acting as an executor for the first time, our team is ready to help make the process clear, manageable and fully compliant. Speak with an estate administration solicitor in Kidderminster or Stourport.
Estate administration involves managing the deceased's assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate according to the will or intestacy laws. Our estate administration solicitors can guide you through each step, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
Painters Law can help you navigate the steps after a death, from applying for probate to distributing the estate and ensuring taxes and debts are settled.
When drafting your will with Painters Law, our experts ensure that all terms are legally sound and clearly written. We can advise on what should be excluded to avoid unnecessary complications in the future.
We can guide you through the probate application process, assisting with paperwork and ensuring that you fulfil all legal requirements. Our solicitors can act as your representatives to take care of the administrative tasks.
We provide expert guidance through the probate process, ensuring the legal validity of a will and helping you administer the estate efficiently. If you're dealing with a loved one's estate, we’ll ensure you understand your responsibilities.
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