FAQs
What happens if there is no will. Do I still need Probate?
Where there is no will you will always be required to apply for Letters of Administration, which Settld can also help with. This is a very similar process to the Probate application. Let us know when you sign up for Settld Probate and we can provide guidance on what is required. We have also created a dedicated page to guide you through what to do if there is no will. Find the link here.
Is contacting companies a necessary step in applying for a grant of probate?
Yes. The first step in applying for a grant of probate (or letters of administration) is to contact all relevant organisations about the death, to gather the documentation on assets and debts. You can do this yourself, which means contacting all companies individually (often by phone), filling in multiple forms and sending off documents. Alternatively, a Probate Solicitor can do the same job for you. Whoever does the job, it’s usually around 20 hours of admin effort.
Why do I need to value the estate and can I do it myself?
In order to comply with your duties as Executor, you are required to value the Estate for inheritance tax, including estimating the value at date of death of any savings and investments, property, debts and other liabilities. You will then be required to either complete the requisite Inheritance Tax (IHT) forms and pay any tax owing or certify that you are applying for ‘Excepted Estate’ status. Settld can help identify all assets and debts as we manage correspondence with Service Providers to obtain date of death balances.
Will all Service Providers give Settld date of death balances?
For the time being some Service Providers choose to handle correspondence by post. Once they process our notification, they will contact you directly with next steps and information. Many companies will get back within 10 working days.