Information & solicitor referral
Probate Guidance
Practical information for executors and families dealing with an estate. Xwills does not present probate legal work as an in-house service.
Important: Probate work itself may require solicitor-led legal advice. Where that is needed, Xwills can signpost or introduce an independent solicitor who advises and contracts with the client directly.
Popular probate questions
Track a probate application
How to check progress and what can cause delay.
How long does probate take?
The difference between obtaining the grant and completing the estate administration.
Death certificates
Registration, certified copies and what executors often need next.
The broad estate-administration journey
- Register the death and obtain required certificates.
- Identify the Will and executors, if there is a Will.
- Value assets and liabilities and establish the tax position.
- Apply for the appropriate grant where one is required.
- Collect or transfer assets and settle estate liabilities.
- Prepare estate accounts and distribute to beneficiaries.
Not every estate follows the same route. Joint assets, trusts, foreign assets, disputes and tax issues can all change the process.