Probate & Estate Administration Solicitors
Navigating the complexities of estate administration, international estates, and intestacy can feel overwhelming.
Our experienced probate solicitors provide specialist legal advice and support to executors, sensitively guiding them through what can be a complicated process.
Recognised as leaders in the field, we focus on providing practical, empathetic advice.
Whether you are administering a straightforward estate, the most complex estate with international assets or where there is conflict with the beneficiaries, you can rely on our team to provide you with the very best advice.
Being named the executor of a Will can feel like a big responsibility. Sorting through someone’s assets, paying off debts and taxes, and making sure everything is passed on as they intended - it is a lot to take on, especially during an emotional time.
No two estates are the same, and the process can feel difficult depending on the instructions in the Will, the people involved and the assets that need managing. Matters can get even more complicated when there is not a Will.
Our experienced team has helped many executors and administrators navigate the complexities of estate administration. From ensuring tax-efficient estate administration to providing clear advice on intestacy rules, we’ll simplify the process.
Wherever you are located, our national presence ensures accessible and responsive support. We are committed to making a difficult time more manageable for you.
Our expertise
Our team can help you in the following areas:
Our experienced probate solicitors will help you navigate the process with confidence, offering expert advice on inheritance tax, preparing estate accounts, and implementing tax-efficient strategies. Whether you are facing a straightforward case or one involving international or contentious matters, our team - led by five dedicated partners - is here to ensure the smooth and efficient administration of the estate.
We know from our many years of experience that handling international estates can present unique challenges. From navigating cross-border legal systems to resolving disputes among international beneficiaries, we will work alongside a global network of legal professionals including our strong connections with the Association of European Lawyers. Our goal is to simplify the process, ensuring your estate complies with local laws and is managed with efficiency and care.
When someone passes away without a will, the legal process can feel uncertain. Our team specialises in intestate estate administration, guiding you through the steps to secure the necessary Grant of Letters of Administration. We assist in locating missing beneficiaries or assets and work to minimise conflict, always offering sensitive and pragmatic advice to help you move forward confidently.
A Deed of Variation can help redirect an inheritance to minimise future inheritance tax charges, offering peace of mind for your estate planning. Timing is crucial - acting quickly ensures the best outcomes. With expert guidance tailored to your circumstances, we will navigate the process efficiently, helping you make informed decisions to safeguard your family’s financial future.
When estates become deadlocked, achieving resolution requires impartiality, expertise, and decisive action. Our independent administrators bring a proven track record in untangling complex, high-value, and contentious estates. Focused on the best interests of beneficiaries, they combine neutrality with a proactive approach to move estates forward. Supported by an integrated team of private client specialists, we provide seamless guidance tailored to each situation, ensuring efficient, cost-effective resolutions for even the most challenging disputes.
VWV is a member of the National Association of Independent Administrators ('NAIA').
Find out more about pricing for probate and estate administration services.
Our work highlights
A £10m estate with a vast property portfolio across the UK and Spain presented a complex administration
Challenges included managing tenant arrangements, property repairs, tax investigations, and the eviction of squatters. The Spanish estate lacked a local Will, further complicating matters. Working side by side with our real Estate team we successfully managed strategic property sales maximising the value of the estate for the charity residuary beneficiary and minimising CGT payments.
A £4.1m estate faced complexities due to pre-deceased executors, an estranged child’s potential claim, and the widow being unable to readily access funds
Issues included lifetime gifting, trust income, a minority share valuation, and ongoing financial commitments. We managed to petition trustees to exercise their discretion and make a distribution to the widow while probate was awaited. A deed of variation was executed, leading to the partitioning shares in a land-holding company and the creation of further tax efficient trusts.
£8.6 million estate included properties, shares, investments, and national heritage porcelain
Complexities arose from significant lifetime gifting, liquidity issues as the Estate faced a £3m Inheritance Tax bill, minority shareholdings requiring valuation discounts, joint property ownership, unsettled loans, and heritage exemptions. Strategic tax planning and valuation adjustments helped reduce liabilities and administrative challenges.
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