Administering an estate after someone has passed away can be a time consuming and emotional process. While some delays are unavoidable, particularly when waiting for responses from HMRC or the Probate Registry, there are practical ways to help the process move more efficiently.
Lawson West Solicitors Probate and Wills specialists share their expert advice on how to speed up the administration of an estate below.
1. Seek professional advice early
If you are planning to instruct a solicitor to deal with the entire estate administration, it is often best to involve them as early as possible. Starting the process with legal support ensures that the correct information is gathered from the outset and prevents work being duplicated.
At Lawson West Solicitors, we offer a free initial consultation where we can explain the probate process, discuss what information will be required, and clarify next steps before any fees are incurred.
Tip: If you intend for your solicitor to request all date-of-death balances from banks and financial institutions, avoid spending time trying to obtain these yourself. If you are employing a solicitor they will have to contact all of the institutions to obtain confirmed figures, meaning information you gather independently may need to be obtained again and slowing the process rather than helping it.
2. Gather key documents early
As soon as possible after a death, locate essential paperwork such as:
- Original Will and any codicils
- Death certificate
- Property deeds
- Pension and life insurance details
- Records of debts or loans
Having these documents ready helps your solicitor prepare the Probate application and Inheritance Tax forms promptly.
3. Notify institutions quickly
Informing banks, building societies, pension providers, insurance companies and utility companies early enables accounts to be frozen, prevents further charges and helps establish accurate valuations.
If Lawson West are handling the full administration, we will contact institutions on your behalf, allowing you to focus on other arrangements.
4. Provide full and accurate financial information
Incomplete information is one of the most common causes of delay. Executors should provide details of all assets and liabilities as early as possible, including joint accounts, loans, shares, overseas assets and lifetime gifts.
Accurate figures help ensure that Inheritance Tax forms are submitted correctly first time, reducing risk of queries from HMRC.
5. Obtain professional valuations
Assets such as property, investments or high-value personal items may require formal valuation. Instructing valuers early helps ensure figures are accurate and reduces the need for later amendments that could slow progress.
6. Make use of online probate services
Many probate applications can now be submitted online, which can be quicker than paper-based processes. Some financial institutions also provide electronic balance confirmations, further streamlining administration.
7. Keep communication open
Clear communication between executors, beneficiaries and your solicitor helps prevent misunderstanding and ensures that decisions can be made promptly. Regular updates also help avoid delays arising from confusion or disputes.
8. Plan ahead if the estate includes property
If a property is likely to be sold, arranging valuations and preparing for marketing while waiting for the Grant of Probate can prevent delays later. Although contracts cannot be exchanged until the Grant is issued, early preparation means the sale can proceed more quickly once authority is granted.
How Lawson West Solicitors Can Help
At Lawson West Solicitors, we understand how important it is to conclude estate administration efficiently and sensitively. Our experienced Probate and Wills Team, based in Leicester and Market Harborough, can assist with every stage – from initial guidance to full estate administration.
We offer a free initial consultation to explain the process, answer questions, and help you decide the best way forward.
If you would like to discuss how Lawson West can help, please give our friendly team a call on 0116 212 1000 or 01858 445 480 or complete our Contact Us form.
Prepared with the assistance of AI and approved by a senior solicitor.
