Probate & Estate Administration Solicitors
For some, being the executor of a loved one’s estate is an honour. For others administering their estate while grieving their loss is overwhelming. Not only can this cause more stress and upset, but it can also lead to costly mistakes.
At Rothera Bray, our Probate and Administration solicitors can offer practical support and guidance. We can also take on the responsibility of administering the estate so you can process your loss.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. This involves:
- Identifying and valuing the deceased person’s assets and liabilities
- Paying off any debts and taxes owed by the estate
- Distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will
- If the deceased didn’t write a will, distributing those assets according to the rules of intestacy
- Carrying out the deceased person’s wishes as far as possible
Do I need a solicitor to apply for probate?
You do not legally need a wills and probate solicitor to apply for probate. In fact, many people deal with probate and the administration of estates on their own.
However, the process is often complex, time consuming and labour intensive. It can involve lots of complicated legal jargon, tax calculations and paperwork.
As an executor or administrator, you are legally responsible for administering an estate. As such, you will be liable for any mistakes or oversights.
When is it best to hire a probate solicitor?
Dealing with probate is often complicated and hard work. Especially if things do not go according to plan.
You may need a probate solicitor if:
- You do not have the time or expertise to deal with it yourself
- The will features foreign properties or assets
- Where income or capital gains need reporting
- The will features trusts
- If there is no will
- There is disagreement among the beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries
- There are legal challenges to the will or the distribution of the estate
- The estate is insolvent
- The estate is subject to inheritance tax
We can help make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Why choose Rothera Bray probate and estate administration solicitors?
At Rothera Bray, we can provide as much or as little help as you need. We offer a range of services to help you through the process. These include:
- Advising you on your legal rights and responsibilities as an executor or beneficiary
- Assisting with the valuation and distribution of assets
- Preparing and submitting the necessary paperwork to the probate registry
- Dealing with any legal challenges to the will or the distribution of the estate
- Liaising with HM Revenue and Customs to make sure you meet all tax obligations
- Managing any disputes that arise between beneficiaries or potential beneficiaries
Our estate solicitors have vast experience in supporting executors and estate administrators. We understand how difficult it can be to administer an estate. Especially when you are grieving the loss of a loved one.
We can offer a high level of expertise when you need it and take some of the responsibility away from you.
Send us a message
“We’re upfront about costs – so there’s no hidden surprises”
Kirsten Wood
Head of Wills and Probate
FAQs
There are circumstances when you do not need to apply for probate; These are;
- When an estate is joint owned by a spouse or civil partner as the estate will pass onto the surviving partner
- If the value of the estate is less than £5,000
- If banks or building societies agree to release funds without a Grant of Probate
If you are not sure if you need to apply for probate or not, we can help.
Probate takes a minimum of 6 months. However, on average, probate process takes around a year to complete. This is from the date of death to the distribution of the estate.
Once the Grant of Probate has been issued, it usually takes around six weeks to distribute the estate.
You do not have to wait.
However, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, claimants have 6 months to start a claim against the estate.
If someone tries to make a claim against an estate that has already been distributed, it could cause huge legal problems.
As a result, it is advisable to distribute the estate 6 months after the Grant of Probate has been issued. This does mean that the estate might be distributed for well over a year.
If the debts of an estate are more than the assets, the estate is insolvent. In this case, you must pay the debts in order of priority.
- Secured debts – these are debts that are secured against a property. If the estate does not have enough money to pay all debts, it must be shared between creditors in proportion to what is owed.
- Funeral expenses – These must be reasonable, considering the total amount of debt.
- Probate costs – These are the costs incurred when executing the will and administering the estate. These include reasonable legal fees.
- Preferential debts – If the deceased employed someone, their wages are a preferential debt.
- Interest – on unsecured loans and credit cards.
- Deferred debts – including debts to family and friends.
In the UK, more than 1 in 5 people die without making a will.
When someone dies without a will, their next of kin usually administer their state according to the rules of intestacy.
When there are not any relatives to administer the estate, the HM Treasury take over and any assets go to the Crown. This means the money goes to paying off the national debt or to charity.
Administering the estate of someone who has died without a will can be extremely complicated.
Our specialist estate administration solicitors can help.
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Posted 5 June 2026
I had the absolute pleasure of dealing with Will for an employment matter. He’s been superb from start to finish, putting me at ease during a very difficult time. If I could add more than 5 stars I would. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough.
Rob Palmer
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Posted 4 June 2026
I’d like to say a massive thank you for all of Emily Sherwood and the teams help at Rothera Bay. Response to enquiries has been timely and everything discussed was dealt with empathy and professionalism. I was guided through the process and fees were discussed transparently, I’m very grateful for all the help received so far.
Rebecca
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Posted 4 June 2026
I recently used Rothera Bray, as I usually do for all my affairs, to draft my Last Will in Testament, and I was extremely impressed with the service I received throughout the entire process. The team, especially Julie Graham, were professional, approachable, and incredibly patient in answering all of my questions and putting me at ease. Julie took the time to explain everything clearly, which made what I anticipated to be a stressful process, feel straightforward and reassuring. I particularly appreciated her attention to detail and the care shown in making sure my wishes were fully understood and accurately reflected. Communication was swift and excellent from start to finish, and I always felt I was in safe and capable hands. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for professional and reliable legal support for Will writing and estate planning. Thanks as Always.
M Goode
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Posted 3 June 2026
Brilliant service from start to finish. Ellie Robinson and Grace at Rothera Bray handled the sale of our house with professionalism and care. They kept us informed every step of the way and made the whole process as smooth as possible. Highly recommended.
Leigh Smith
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Posted 2 June 2026
Rothera Bray handled the sale of a commercial property for us and we had the pleasure of working with Marneya. Marneya went above and beyond to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. He was not just reactive to requests but proactive to ensure everything was as seamless as it could be. Marneya was professional, friendly and great to work with. Thank you!
Richard Pepperman
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Posted 2 June 2026
Sally was professional, efficient, and reliable throughout the process of buying and selling our house. Communication was excellent, with quick responses and regular updates. Everything was handled smoothly and promptly. I would not hesitate to recommend Sally and her team to others. Thank you.
Vicky Limer
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Posted 2 June 2026
Sally was excellent and dealt with my parents house sale efficiently and professionally and made the whole process smooth and stress free. Thank you so much and I will definitely recommend to others and would definitely use Rothera Bray again in the future.
Mark Crooks
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Posted 1 June 2026
We recently used Rothera Bray for the sale of our property and the purchase of our new home, and Laura provided excellent service throughout. Moving house can be stressful, particularly when dealing with a chain and unexpected issues, but Laura was consistently professional, responsive and reassuring. She kept us informed, explained everything clearly and helped ensure the process ran smoothly. Her attention to detail, clear communication and willingness to answer our questions made a real difference. Thank you, Laura, for all your hard work. We would happily recommend Rothera Bray to anyone seeking a reliable and professional conveyancing service.
Jonathan Smith
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Posted 1 June 2026
I recently sold my house using Ellie at Rothera Bray and couldn’t be happier with the service I received. From start to finish Ellie kept me fully informed, explained everything clearly and was always quick to update me on the progress. What really stood out was how proactive and reassuring she was throughout the process, especially when delays occurred further down the chain. Ellie made sure I understood what was happening at every stage which took away a lot of the usual stress involved in moving house. Her professionalism, communication, and attention to detail was excellent and I always felt relaxed and confident that everything was being handled properly. I would highly recommend Ellie to anyone buying or selling a property.
Lee Robinson
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Posted 1 June 2026
I had an outstanding experience with Ellie Robinson. She went out of her way at every stage and kept me updated continuously, even when there was no new information to share. Every part of the process was completed as quickly as possible and nothing was ever too much trouble. Ellie kept the other parties moving, provided clear and thorough legal advice, and presented all documentation in a way that was easy to understand. I could not recommend her highly enough.
Georgia Oxley-Smith
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Posted 29 May 2026
First class experience selling my house with Lucy and Karen. Super organised and extremely professional. I would highly recommend using Rothera's Conveyancing services.
Richard Watkins
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Posted 28 May 2026
Selling houses is always a daunting prospect, but my life was made much easier by the professionalism and efficiency of Laura Runcak and Lisa Rainbow. They communicated promptly at every step of the process, and I would definitely recommend their services. In fact, I will be using them again in the near future, as I have another house to sell. Both ladies are a credit to Rothera Bray. Many thanks from me and my Mum.
Debbie Tyler
Jeremy Allen
Partner & Head of Trusts and Court of Protection
Jeremy Allen is a Wills, Probate and Trusts specialist at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market offices in the heart of Nottingham City Centre.
Russell Dalby
Partner
Russell is a Partner based at our Market Harborough office and specialises in all areas of Private Client work. He predominantly deals with probate administration and estate planning work – such as advising on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Inheritance Tax planning.
Ann Farnill
Partner
Ann Farnill is a Partner in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department and is based at our Mapperley office. She specialises in Wills, Inheritance Tax planning, Powers of Attorney including acting for lay attorneys, Estate planning and administration.
Nelissa Hicks
Partner
Nelissa is Partner at Rothera Bray with a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry. Nelissa has over 20 years’ experience as a Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts solicitor and is based at our Loughborough office. She is skilled in Inheritance Tax Planning and the Administration of Trusts and Estates.
Martin Witherspoon
Partner
Martin provides advice and assistance with regard to Wills, Powers of Attorney and administration of estates at our West Bridgford Office.
Kirsten Wood
Partner & Head of Wills and Probate
Kirsten Wood leads the firm’s Wills and Probate department and is a partner with over 18 years’ experience specialising in will drafting, tax, trusts, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney.
Melissa Merry
Consultant
Melissa Merry is a Consultant in our Wills and Probate department, with over 30 years of experience in private client work. Melissa is based at our Derby city centre branch.
Laura Clare
Managing Associate
Laura Clare is a Managing Associate at Rothera Bray’s Derby office and specialises in advising clients in relation to Wills, Powers of Attorney, Inheritance Tax Planning and Estate Administrations and Trust Creation and Administrations.
Mark Hopper
Managing Associate
Mark Hopper is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and specialises in the administration of taxable estates and trusts, and the drafting of Wills involving the use of trusts.
Sally Jahangir
Managing Associate
Sally Jahangir is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Private Client team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Eleanor Robinson
Managing Associate
Eleanor Robinson is a Wills, Probate and Trusts specialist at and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Sarah Soo
Managing Associate
Sarah Soo is a Wills and Probate specialist at Rothera Bray Solicitors and has specialised in private client work since she began her career. Sarah is currently based at both our Beeston and Nottingham offices.
Amelia Carruthers
Senior Associate Solicitor
Amelia Carruthers is a Senior Associate at Rothera Bray’s Derby office and is experienced in drafting wills, lasting powers of attorney, administering estates and providing tax advice and planning.
Sandra Garvey
Senior Associate
Sandra is a Senior Associate in our Wills & Probate department based at our Market Harborough office and has over 35 years in experience in dealing in all areas of Wills & Probate.
Julie Graham
Senior Associate Solicitor
Julie is a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Wills and Probate department and is based at our West Bridgford Office.
Amy Goodwin
Associate Solicitor
Amy Goodwin is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Derby office.
Ed Granger
Associate Solicitor
Ed is an associate solicitor in the firm’s specialist trusts team. He is based at our Lace Market office.
Sam Hardy
Associate
Sam is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department, specialising in trusts and estates administration. He is based at our Market Harborough office.
Rebecca Lee
Associate Solicitor
Rebecca is an Associate Solicitor in our Wills & Probate team based at our Leicester office.
Jasmin Marshall
Associate Solicitor
Jasmin Marshall is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Mapperley office.
Laura Windsor
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Laura Windsor is an Associate Chartered Legal Executive in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Beeston office.
Libby Birt
Solicitor
Libby Birt is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Loughborough office.
Toby Byford
Solicitor
Toby is a Solicitor in the firms specialist Trusts team. He is based at our Lace Market office.
Talita Fantauzzi
Solicitor
Talita Fantauzzi is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Nottingham office.
Rebecca Holmes
Legal Executive
Rebecca is a Legal Executive in our Wills & Probate team. She is based at our Lace Market office.
Azeem Iqbal
Solicitor
Azeem Iqbal is a solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Beeston office.
Brett James
Private Client Executive
Brett James is a Wills and Probate Private Client Executive at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Ria Makwana
Solicitor
Ria Makwana is a Private Client Solicitor specialising in Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Administration, and is based at our Loughborough office.
Sallie Poultney
Private Client Executive
Sallie is a Private Client Executive in the Private Client Department at our Market Harborough office. She advises clients on a range of private client services including Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Alison Richardson
Legal Executive
Alison Richardson is a member of the wills, trust & probate team based at our Mapperley branch.
Amanda White
Private Client Executive
Amanda is a Private Client Executive in the Wills and Probate department at our Leicester office. She advises clients on a range of private client services and has been handling her own caseload since 2014.
Morgan Bramley
Trainee Solicitor
Morgan is a Trainee Solicitor in our Private Client department and is based at the Mapperley office.
Isabelle Cartwright
Trainee Solicitor
Isabelle Cartwright is a Trainee Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Loughborough office.
Sabita Kandel
Trainee Solicitor
Sabita Kandel is a Trainee Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Beeston office.
Jack Cooper
Senior Paralegal
Jack Cooper is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based in Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Anna Guy
Senior Paralegal
Anna Guy has over 10 years’ experience of working in law firms, and 7 years’ experience of dealing with Wills and Probate matters. She’s based at our West Bridgford branch.
Rochelle Hutton
Senior Paralegal
Rochelle works in the private client team at the Market Harborough office, having joined the firm in November 2024.
Hollie Moore
Senior Paralegal
Hollie Moore is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Mapperley office.
Emma Seaton
Senior Paralegal
Emma Seaton is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Mapperley office.
Lisa Warren
Senior Paralegal
Lisa Warren is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based in Derby.
Beth Ashton
Paralegal
Beth Ashton is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Derby Office.
Amy Emmerson
Paralegal
Amy Emmerson is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Beeston office.
Michelle Kingston
Paralegal
Michelle Kingston is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham branch.
Kathryn Lane
Paralegal
Kathryn Lane is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Loughborough office.
Elaine Langley
Paralegal
Elaine is a Paralegal in the Wills and Probate department based at the West Bridgford office.
Morgan McGahan
Paralegal
Morgan is a Paralegal in our Wills and Probate department and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Janet Prentice
Paralegal
Janet Prentice is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department and is based at our Lace Market office in the heart of Nottingham city centre.
Gill Subbarao
Paralegal
Gill Subbarao is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Mapperley office.
Hannah Walker
Paralegal
Hannah Walker is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Georgia Weller
Paralegal
Georgia is a Paralegal in our Wills and Probate team. She is based at our Market Harborough office.
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