What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of getting authority to deal with someone’s estate (their money, property and possessions) after they have died.

• If there is a Will, the executor usually applies for a Grant of Probate.
• If there is no Will, a close relative can apply for Letters of Administration.

Once the Grant is issued, the estate can be collected in, any debts and Inheritance Tax paid, and the rest passed to the beneficiaries.

If you’re unsure whether you even need probate — just ask us. We’ll tell you quickly.

Who We Help

We regularly help:

• Families in Corby, Kettering, Northampton, Wellingborough, Rushden, Oundle, Market Harborough, Stamford and across Northamptonshire and beyond.
• Executors who have been named in a Will and aren’t sure what to do
• People who have been told by a bank or building society that “we can’t release the funds without probate”
• Families where there is no Will
• Executors who live out of the area or abroad and need a local solicitor to handle things

We can also act for estates outside Northamptonshire – much of the process can be done by phone and email.

How Seatons Can Help

We can do as much or as little as you need:

1. Initial advice – confirm whether probate is needed and who should apply
2. Probate application only – we prepare and submit the forms for you
3. Valuing the estate – property, bank accounts, investments, personal belongings
4. Inheritance Tax (IHT) – completing the correct HMRC forms and advising on deadlines
5. Collecting in assets – dealing with banks, building societies and other organisations
6. Paying debts and expenses
7. Distributing the estate to the right people
8. Advising executors on their duties and helping protect them from personal liability

You can choose between a Grant-only service (you deal with the rest) or a full estate administration where we handle everything for you.

Why Use Seatons?

• Local and approachable – real people in Corby and Kettering, not a call centre

• Clear, fair costs – we’ll explain the fees before work starts

• We deal with the forms – probate, HMRC, banks, the Probate Registry

• We protect executors – making sure the estate is distributed correctly

• We speak plain English – no legal jargon

Common Situations We Deal With

• “The house is in Mum’s sole name — what do we do?”
• “The bank says they won’t release the money without probate.”
• “There’s no Will.”
• “There are three executors but only one of us wants to act.”
• “We think there might be Inheritance Tax.”
• “A beneficiary has died before their share was paid.”
• “We want a solicitor to do it to avoid family fallouts.”

Probate FAQs

Do I always need probate?
No. Joint assets and small estates sometimes don’t need it. We can tell you quickly.

How long does it take?
Timescales vary depending on the Probate Registry and whether HMRC forms are needed, but we’ll keep you updated throughout.

Can you help sell the property as well?
Yes. Our conveyancing team can handle the sale at the same time as the probate.

Can you act if I’m not in Northamptonshire?
Yes. We can act for executors and families anywhere in England & Wales by phone, email and post.

10 Reasons why you should use an expert solicitor to deal with getting a Grant of Probate and administering someone’s estate.

1. Expertise and Accuracy

Our solicitors understand the legal and procedural requirements, reducing the risk of errors that could delay probate or cause legal issues.

We can ensure all documents are correctly completed and submitted, especially in complex estates.

2. Time-Saving

Estate administration is time-consuming. We can take on the burden for you, freeing you from hours (or months) of paperwork, correspondence, and form-filling.

3. Legal and Tax Guidance

We can help identify and claim all available tax reliefs and exemptions, potentially reducing inheritance tax.

We will also ensure that any tax returns (e.g. Inheritance Tax, Income Tax) are correctly completed.

4. Minimise Personal Liability

As the executor or administrator, you can be held personally liable for mistakes. We take on that risk, providing peace of mind.

5. We Can Handle Complex Situations

Ideal for estates involving trusts, foreign assets, missing beneficiaries, disputes, or unclear Wills.

We can also interpret ambiguous clauses in a Will.

6. Professional Communication

We deal directly with institutions (HMRC, banks, Land Registry, etc.) and beneficiaries, managing expectations and reducing potential conflict or stress.

7. Dispute Resolution

If disputes arise among beneficiaries or family members, we can act as a neutral third party to de-escalate and resolve issues legally.

8. Access to Specialist Services

We can easily bring in accountants, property valuers, or financial advisors if needed – often as part of a trusted network.

9. Avoid Emotional Strain

Administering a loved one’s estate can be emotionally taxing. By letting us manage the process, we can help reduce the emotional burden.

10. Court Applications and Representation

For contested estates or intestacy cases,we can handle court applications, attend hearings, and manage legal procedures that laypeople might struggle with.