Probate & estate administration
Probate is the generic term that is given to dealing with the affairs of a person once they have died. The term ‘probate’ actually originates from the Grant of Probate, a Latin term meaning ‘to prove’ the last will and testament at the Probate Registry through an application for a Grant of Probate.
In the event of someone not leaving a Will, they will have died what is known as ‘Intestate’ and the Grant would be called a Grant of Letters of Administration.
Most people have heard of the term Grant of Probate and this is the term that is used more frequently. The Grant is a certificate that provides authority to those entrusted to finalise the estate, allowing them to deal with the assets held by the person who has died.
In simple terms the phrase ‘estate’ encompasses the total amount of a person’s assets and debts when they die. While the word ‘estate’ sounds rather grand, it is purely the term of reference to identify what needs finalising (or administered) at the end of a person’s life.
It is important to recognise that some estates will not require a Grant because the assets within the estate are within the thresholds of financial instructions (such as a bank) this means that they will release the funds held to the person entrusted without needing to see the Grant. Whether or not a Grant is required, everyone who dies has affairs that need to be finalised. We are here to support those who are entrusted with this important role and to guide and support you in the best way forward, depending on your needs and those of the estate.