Trusts Solicitors
Trusts can be used to pass assets to specific family members in a controlled way and are often an effective part of inheritance tax planning. They can also offer flexibility over how and when beneficiaries receive assets, helping protect wealth, support vulnerable individuals, and ensure your wishes are followed.
Our specialist team can advise on whether a trust is suitable and assist with its setup, administration, trustee duties, and ongoing compliance.
Probate Solicitors
When someone close to you dies, somebody has to deal with their estate which involves collecting money owed, settling outstanding debts and dividing the estate among the beneficiaries.
Our specialist team are experts in administering the estates of deceased persons with sympathy and efficiency.
Estate Administration Solicitors at HSR Law
At HSR Law we have a specialist team of estate administration solicitors who are experienced in providing clear, practical guidance throughout every stage of the estate administration process. Our team supports executors and families with probate applications, estate valuation, inheritance tax, debt settlement and the distribution of assets in accordance with a Will or intestacy rules.
As trusted advisors, HSR Law ensure matters are handled efficiently, sensitively and in full compliance with legal requirements, offering reassurance during what is often a difficult time for clients across England and Wales.
What is Estate Administration?
Estate administration is the legal process of managing and distributing a person’s assets after they have died. This includes identifying and valuing assets, paying any debts and inheritance tax, and ensuring the remaining estate is distributed to the rightful beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules. HSR Law provide expert guidance to ensure the process is handled efficiently and correctly. If you need help, please contact our estate administration solicitors on 01302 347800.
Meet Our Estate Administration Solicitors
Your Estate Administration and Probate Team
We are WIQS Accredited
The Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS) accreditation is a best practice quality mark for wills and estate administration advice.
Being WIQS accredited means we have the expertise to deliver wills and inheritance advice, use standardised processes to recognise and reduce risks and educate clients about what to expect when buying wills and inheritance advice.
Our Latest News
- When Is a Codicil to a Will Invalid?
A codicil allows you to amend your will without rewriting it—but only if it meets strict legal requirements. In England and Wales, a codicil must be properly signed and witnessed in the same way as a will, or it may be invalid. This article explains when a codicil fails, common mistakes, and why unclear or improperly executed changes can lead to disputes or unintended consequences. - How Do You Carry Out a Share for Share Exchange? – A Practical Guide
Learn how a share for share exchange works and why businesses use it. This guide covers key steps, tax and legal considerations, and how HSR Law’s corporate team can provide expert advice for a smooth, compliant business transaction. - Am I Eligible for the Right to Buy Scheme? Key Rules Explained
The Right to Buy scheme helps council tenants purchase their homes at a discount, but not everyone qualifies. In this guide Amy Fields, Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing explains who can apply, how discounts are calculated, and how our team can support you through the process from start to completion. - Should I Replace an Enduring Power of Attorney with a Lasting Power of Attorney?
If you created an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) before October 2007, it remains legally valid and does not need replacing. However, many people now choose to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for added flexibility, including health and welfare decisions. Our specialist solicitors can advise on whether an LPA is right for you and guide you through the full creation and registration process. - Lasting Powers of Attorney Certificate Provider – What you need to know
A Lasting Power of Attorney must include a certificate signed by an independent person confirming the donor understands and agrees freely to the LPA. Choosing the right certificate provider is essential to avoid rejection or delay. HSR Law can guide and act as your certificate provider. - Graham Bembridge retires after more than 50 years in the Legal Profession
Graham is taking his well-earned retirement from the firm after 50+ years in the Legal Profession in Gainsborough.
Estate Administration and Probate FAQs
Yes, your executors can also be beneficiaries of your Will. This is very common in England and Wales, particularly where spouses, civil partners or adult children are appointed as executors.
Choosing a trusted beneficiary as your executor can simplify the administration of your estate, as they already have an interest in ensuring your wishes are carried out efficiently.
If you own property overseas, it is usually best practice to have a separate Will in each country where assets are held. An English Will can sometimes cover foreign assets, but different countries have their own inheritance laws and probate processes. Creating a local Will can make administration quicker and reduce legal complications.
It is essential that your solicitor is aware of any foreign Wills to ensure the documents are properly drafted and do not accidentally revoke one another.
Yes. Being married or in a civil partnership does not remove the need for a Will. If you die without a Will (known as dying intestate), the intestacy rules in England and Wales determine how your estate is distributed. Your spouse will inherit the first £322,000 (the statutory legacy), and the remainder is divided between your spouse and children.
This may not reflect your wishes and could leave your spouse without full financial security. Making a Will ensures you stay in control of how your estate is distributed.
The current Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold (nil rate band) is £325,000 per individual.
This allowance can be transferred between spouses or civil partners, meaning up to £650,000 may be available on second death.
An additional residence nil rate band of up to £175,000 may be available when passing your home to direct descendants.
In some cases, this means a married couple could pass on up to £1 million free from inheritance tax. However, eligibility for the residence nil rate band depends on numerous factors and we would recommend that you seek advice from a Probate solicitor to establish whether the residence nil rate band is available.
A beneficiary is a person or organisation named in a Will who will receive money, property, or other assets from the estate.
Beneficiaries can include family members, friends, charities, or businesses.
A Grant of Probate is an official legal document issued by the Probate Registry. It confirms that the executor named in a Will has the authority to deal with the deceased’s estate. It is often required to:
• Access bank accounts
• Sell or transfer property
• Collect and distribute assets
• Settle debts and liabilities
If there is no Will, personal representatives must apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration instead.
Not all estates require probate. For example, jointly owned assets may pass automatically to the surviving owner.
The intestacy rules set out how an estate is distributed when someone dies without a valid Will. They prioritise close family members in a strict order, starting with spouses or civil partners, followed by children and other relatives. As set out above, if there is both a surviving spouse and children, the spouse will not automatically receive the whole estate if it exceeds £322,000.
Because these rules may not reflect your personal wishes, making a Will is the best way to ensure your estate is distributed according to your intentions.
The residence nil rate band (RNRB) is an additional inheritance tax allowance of up to £175,000. It applies when a main residence is passed to direct descendants, such as children or grandchildren. Key points include:
• It is available in addition to the £325,000 nil rate band
• It can be transferred between spouses or civil partners
• It may be reduced (tapered) for estates worth more than £2 million
• It does not apply if the property is left to non-direct descendants (e.g. nieces or nephews)
Because the rules are complex, professional advice is recommended to maximise available tax reliefs
