Grant of probate advice given

An expert has offered advice to people about obtaining a grant of probate.

Paul Sharpe, chairman of the Institute of Professional Willwriters, said that it is relatively simple to get this and that people can seek assistance from those working at a probate court.

He said: "The process is called 'administration' and it's a great word for it – it's an administrative process."

Mr Sharpe added that it involves filling in application forms, penning letters to have an estate valued and then writing letters so that the assets of an estate can be collected after probate is secured.

The Probate Service will grant probate in cases where there is an executor for a valid will or will grant letters of administration in a case where there is no executor or no valid will.

However, he cautioned that probate can sometimes be a difficult process, particularly if the person who has passed away owns an estate that is liable to inheritance tax, as the form for this is complex.

He said that if the executor finds it too hard a process to navigate they should hire an expert.

Published by Hannah Carr