Here, we outline five key life events after which you should consider reviewing your will.
Read moreApplying for probate
Our solicitors guide you through the process of applying for a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration — removing the stress and complexity.
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Being an Executor and asked to administer an estate can be a time-consuming and daunting task — especially since it usually involves the estate of a close family member or friend. Our award-winning team can make it as easy as possible for you to carry out your legal duties.
From arranging the funeral to gathering details of a deceased person’s assets and any debts, filling in the HMRC inheritance tax forms and completing the probate application, we’ll be by your side throughout the process.
We can then help you to gather in the assets themselves and guide you through the potential next steps, including considering whether there are any opportunities to ensure that the estate is being administered in the most tax-efficient way possible. We can advise on Deeds of Variation to pass wealth to the next generation or use trusts to protect loved ones for the future.
We’ll ensure that the estate is distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will — giving Executors peace of mind that everything has been dealt with in accordance with the deceased’s wishes.
Talk to us by giving us a call on 0333 004 4488, sending us an email at hello@brabners.com or completing our contact form below.
Expert probate solicitors
Our team deals with a wide range of estates on behalf of executors and personal representatives, including those of significant complexity that often involve complex inheritance tax, trust, family and business issues.
We listen carefully to your needs and wishes to provide a specialist and tailored service. Most members of our team are fully STEP-qualified. STEP — the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners — sets and upholds high professional standards and connects practitioners globally to share knowledge and best practice.
Key members of the team include Steven Appleton — a Leading Partner in The Legal 500 2025 for personal tax, trusts and probate — as well as experienced Partners Louise Scholes and Sarah Murphy. Sarah acts as Chair of the Law Society’s Private Client Section Advisory Committee, is a full professional accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a committee member of the regional group Solicitors for the Elderly, serving Lancashire and Cumbria.
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Your duties as an executor
Once named as the executor of a Will, it’s your responsibility to administer the deceased’s estate.
To do this, you must consider whether it’s necessary to apply for a Grant of Probate to be able to administer the estate in accordance with the terms of the Will.
Your duties include:
- Preparing a grant of probate or letters of administration application.
- Submitting an inheritance tax return and maximising allowances.
- Identifying and collecting in assets.
- Paying any due tax, liabilities and creditors.
- Selling or transferring property in-line with the terms of the Will.
- Preparing estate accounts.
- Managing and registering any trusts in the Will.
- Making sure that beneficiaries receive their entitlements under the terms of the Will.
“May I take this opportunity to thank you personally for your support to my stepmother while she was alive, for the work you put into her estate and for guiding us through our job as Executors so skilfully. You have really made it a largely effortless process from our point of view.”
Client feedback
“Louise Scholes has a broad practice with expertise in Wills, inheritance tax planning, estate administration and trusts.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Receiving our Dad’s financial legacy marks a truly momentous culmination for our family of nearly 14 months of endeavour to correct Dad's Will and execute his true wishes. Dad (and Mum) have bequeathed to us such loving legacies, which shall make such a huge difference to us all. We thank you [Sarah Murphy] and your team so very much for your expert guidance and support. Highly professional but always with a personal and friendly approach.”
Client feedback
“Steven Appleton's expertise in personal estate planning is 'second-to-none'.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Sarah Murphy went way above and beyond the role of 'solicitor' when dealing with my case. Her personal touch, commitment to my relative and the advice and support she provided to me was so much more than just ‘doing her job’. Sarah has been incredibly helpful and just seems to manage problems. Nothing is too big to overcome.”
Client feedback
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Specialist Will & inheritance dispute solicitors
We know that dealing with Wills, inheritance and probate isn’t always straightforward.
If you’re facing any kind of dispute relating to the death of a loved one, their estate or their assets, our expert Will and inheritance disputes team is on-hand to assist.
We specialise in disputes that relate to the validity of Wills, Inheritance Act claims for financial provision, trustee and executor disputes, as well as any issues that arise in the interpretation of Wills or the administration of estates. We also advise in connection with allegations of lifetime financial abuse and disputed gifts and transactions.
Often called on to resolve issues that arise in high value and complex estates — including those with business or international elements — we can recover or protect multi-million-pound estate assets.
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